What do you think?
Rate this book
Hope Harbor
When Eve inherits the family business, Candlewood Inn, she leaves her controlling ex and her job in Seattle behind to head to her childhood home on a small island on the Canadian border. She arrives to find that her family is in an uproar over her grandfather’s very legal dying wishes. After all, the group of sniveling babies had been living rent-free in the luxurious outdated hotel for years and using her grandfather’s bank account to bankroll their own extravagant lives. But Eve has a business degree and all the power now, and she’ll have to kick her family out of their rent-free, carefree lives if she plans on saving the inn and herself from ruin. Single-dad Dylan started his own handyman business a few years back. He’s the only one on Orcas Island who can swing a hammer and not miss. So, when the new owner takes over at Candlewood Inn and hires him to remodel the old place, he jumps at the chance to make his mark on the huge building. Working with Eve is a pure delight, since the woman seems to know what she’s after. The fact that she’s nice to look at, and that Dylan’s daughter, Palmer, is infatuated with her, is a bonus. It’s the rest of the Candlewood family they will need to worry about. Especially, since it appears someone is out to destroy everything they are working for before they even get started.
374 pages, Paperback
Published March 27, 2020
170 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Jill Sanders
196 books2,098 followersJill Sanders is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Sweet Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, and Paranormal Romance novels. With 100 books in eleven series, translations into several different languages, and audiobooks there’s plenty to choose from. Look for Jill’s bestselling stories wherever romance books are sold or visit her at jillsanders.com
Jill comes from a large family with six siblings, including an identical twin. She was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent for writing sweet and sexy page-turners. After Colorado, she decided to move south, living in Texas and now making her home along the Emerald Coast of Florida. You will find that the settings of several of her series are inspired by her time spent living in these areas. She has two sons and off-set the testosterone in her house by adopting three furry little ladies that provide her company while she’s locked in her writing cave. She enjoys heading to the beach, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting, and pickleball with her husband, and of course writing. If you have read any of her books, you may also notice that there is a love of food, especially sweets! She has been blamed for a few added pounds by her assistant, editor, and fans… donuts or pie anyone?
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillsandersau...
Jill comes from a large family with six siblings, including an identical twin. She was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent for writing sweet and sexy page-turners. After Colorado, she decided to move south, living in Texas and now making her home along the Emerald Coast of Florida. You will find that the settings of several of her series are inspired by her time spent living in these areas. She has two sons and off-set the testosterone in her house by adopting three furry little ladies that provide her company while she’s locked in her writing cave. She enjoys heading to the beach, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting, and pickleball with her husband, and of course writing. If you have read any of her books, you may also notice that there is a love of food, especially sweets! She has been blamed for a few added pounds by her assistant, editor, and fans… donuts or pie anyone?
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillsandersau...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 2, 2020
The story itself started out good. However, I had to spend pages and pages of reading sex scenes to keep finding that main story which was a murder/mystery/romance. IMHO, I wouldn't even constitute it a romance, since there was very little time spent getting to know each other or their characters before they were jumping each other. There was one entertaining and endearing character that kept me reading and that was the 5-year old daughter. But, precocious children and/or animals are always a winning element. These comments and opinions are strictly my own. I am not a prude by any means and am not adverse to certain scenes in books. It just was over the top for me in this particular book, especially given the good story line itself, when you could find it.
April 16, 2020
As if the ex from hell as well as the family from hell weren't stressful enough, Eve gets charged with saving the family legacy from going down the drain while attempting to not get killed by someone who wants to see her fail permanently! A well written mystery with a side of romance to entertain and intrigue you! Fantastic characters that you will connect with and root for while trying to help solve the case which isn't easy with a deep field of suspects, this book will keep you on your edge of your seat turning pages to see what happens next!
March 6, 2020
Edge of your seat who done it story with a great romance.
April 2, 2020
Eve has the worst family. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. How someone so nice could come from a family like that. They are all reprehensible. When Eve meets Dylan, it is pretty much love at first sight. She just got out of a bad marriage and doesn't think she could even think about another relationship. But Dylan shows her what a good and kind man is and she just can't help falling in love with him. After Dylan's wife died, he is a little lonely, but he lives for his daughter. She is the best gift he was ever given. Having Eve in his life just makes everything complete. Will her family wreck everything?
April 8, 2020
Doing What Is Right!!!
Eve Candlewood inherited her family's business which belonged to her late grandfather, Candlewood Inn. She packed up her life in Seattle, and moved back to her hometown of Ocras Island, leaving her abusive ex and job behind. Her relatives had been living rent free at the inn using her grandfather's hard earned money to love their luxurious lives.
Well that all stops now, she was the only and rightful owner of the hotel. And if she wanted to save her family's legacy from running, she would have to kick her self-centered relatives out of her establishment.
Dylan Steele, a single dad who'd opened up his own business years agi, he was the only handyman on Ocras Island who knew to hit a nail and not miss. He was hired by the new owner, the beautiful, smart and outgoing, Eve Candlewood to remodel the old Inn. He was happy to get such opportunity.
He loved working with Eve, she knew what she wanted and took control when needed. He was attracted to her and vice versa. Plus his daughter, Palmer was fascinated by her so that alone was a good sign in his book. There was one problem though.
It seemed like Eve's family didn't want them to achieve their goals. Someone was out sabotaging the work they were trying to do. When members of her family were discovered murdered, She did everything in her power to make sure the culprit(s) got what was coming to them.
Palmer was such a sweetheart, I loved how protecive she was of Eve. It was a treat to see both Dylan and Eve find happiness after the past heartaches, they've faced.
HOPE HARBOR is a standalone romantic suspense novel by Jill Sanders. What a wonderful, engrossing and beautiful story. Marvelous job by Jill Sanders! 5++++
Eve Candlewood inherited her family's business which belonged to her late grandfather, Candlewood Inn. She packed up her life in Seattle, and moved back to her hometown of Ocras Island, leaving her abusive ex and job behind. Her relatives had been living rent free at the inn using her grandfather's hard earned money to love their luxurious lives.
Well that all stops now, she was the only and rightful owner of the hotel. And if she wanted to save her family's legacy from running, she would have to kick her self-centered relatives out of her establishment.
Dylan Steele, a single dad who'd opened up his own business years agi, he was the only handyman on Ocras Island who knew to hit a nail and not miss. He was hired by the new owner, the beautiful, smart and outgoing, Eve Candlewood to remodel the old Inn. He was happy to get such opportunity.
He loved working with Eve, she knew what she wanted and took control when needed. He was attracted to her and vice versa. Plus his daughter, Palmer was fascinated by her so that alone was a good sign in his book. There was one problem though.
It seemed like Eve's family didn't want them to achieve their goals. Someone was out sabotaging the work they were trying to do. When members of her family were discovered murdered, She did everything in her power to make sure the culprit(s) got what was coming to them.
Palmer was such a sweetheart, I loved how protecive she was of Eve. It was a treat to see both Dylan and Eve find happiness after the past heartaches, they've faced.
HOPE HARBOR is a standalone romantic suspense novel by Jill Sanders. What a wonderful, engrossing and beautiful story. Marvelous job by Jill Sanders! 5++++
March 31, 2020
This book is one of the reasons Jill Sanders is a favorite of mine. From the steamy love affair between Dylan and Eve, the adorableness that is Palmer, to the mystery surrounding the Inn, Sanders creates a page turner readers won't want to put don't or soon forget.
August 19, 2020
and I thought my family was f***ed up....
Eve Candlewood moved away from home, got married and got a great job. Now some time later she is divorced, about to be fired if she doesn't give it up to her ex and on top of that she just got a devastating phone call that the only family member whom showed her any kind of compassion has died. Packing up some belongings and heading home to Orca's Island Eve is not prepared for what comes next. She finds out she is the sole heir to her families Inn as well as the inheritance from her Grandfather's estate.
Dylan Steele a single dad who lost his wife five years ago is the only handyman on Orca's Island. He has been hired by the new owner of Candlewood Inn and help get it back to its former glory. Dylan soon realizes that Eve is one of the only Candlewood's still alive with any kind of heart.
Palmer (Dylan's daughter) really helped tell this story about not only Dylan but of Eve as well. You see that Dylan just wants love and to be a good Dad but you start to see a softer side of Eve with Palmer and how the little girl just wants a Mom to help braid her hair and do "Mom" things with.
Suspenseful with a searing romance Jill Sanders wove a story that you left you guessing until the very last page. You will love some characters, hate other and try to figure out this whodunnit until the very last page.
Eve Candlewood moved away from home, got married and got a great job. Now some time later she is divorced, about to be fired if she doesn't give it up to her ex and on top of that she just got a devastating phone call that the only family member whom showed her any kind of compassion has died. Packing up some belongings and heading home to Orca's Island Eve is not prepared for what comes next. She finds out she is the sole heir to her families Inn as well as the inheritance from her Grandfather's estate.
Dylan Steele a single dad who lost his wife five years ago is the only handyman on Orca's Island. He has been hired by the new owner of Candlewood Inn and help get it back to its former glory. Dylan soon realizes that Eve is one of the only Candlewood's still alive with any kind of heart.
Palmer (Dylan's daughter) really helped tell this story about not only Dylan but of Eve as well. You see that Dylan just wants love and to be a good Dad but you start to see a softer side of Eve with Palmer and how the little girl just wants a Mom to help braid her hair and do "Mom" things with.
Suspenseful with a searing romance Jill Sanders wove a story that you left you guessing until the very last page. You will love some characters, hate other and try to figure out this whodunnit until the very last page.
April 8, 2020
So amazing! It has romance but so much more. Eve is dealing with her jerk of an ex when she learns her grandfather has died. She packs up to go back and gets back to find out he has left the inn to her. It is badly in need of repairs and updates so she hires Dylan to help out. Their attraction is mutual and made more so by the fact that Eve adores his daughter Palmer. As Dylan starts to work around the hotel strange and dangerous events start to happen with injuries and deaths occurring. There are so many options for who is the killer and why.
March 30, 2020
Fantastic story that keeps you eagerly turning page after page. There's murder and mystery that will keep you guessing with twists and turns included. Then you have Eve and Dylan with chemistry, romance and a bit of sizzling sex. Thoroughly entertaining.
April 10, 2020
Absolutely loved this romantic suspenseful story.
April 8, 2020
This was an AMAZING story. It gripped me from the start and I stayed up far too late finishing it - but sleep was not going to happen until I had all the answers.
Eve inherits the family business but no one in the family is happy about it. Neither is her controlling ex. The general disbelief from everyone around her makes Eve dig her heels in farther knowing that her grandpa wanted her to rebuild the family legacy.
Dylan is a single father who has a handyman business on the island. As the only fix-it guy around, when Eve calls for help, he jumps at the chance. Not only because he loves the idea of working on the Candlewood Inn, but he's intrigued by the new owner.
Before they can work on much - between them or on the Inn - someone starts getting in the way. Apparently there is someone who doesn't want Eve running things or maybe they just have a grudge against Candlewood Inn. The question quickly becomes: Just how far is this someone willing to go?
This was a fabulous read that kept me interested through every page. It has romance of course, but plenty of suspense and mystery too. You won't regret picking this book up!
Eve inherits the family business but no one in the family is happy about it. Neither is her controlling ex. The general disbelief from everyone around her makes Eve dig her heels in farther knowing that her grandpa wanted her to rebuild the family legacy.
Dylan is a single father who has a handyman business on the island. As the only fix-it guy around, when Eve calls for help, he jumps at the chance. Not only because he loves the idea of working on the Candlewood Inn, but he's intrigued by the new owner.
Before they can work on much - between them or on the Inn - someone starts getting in the way. Apparently there is someone who doesn't want Eve running things or maybe they just have a grudge against Candlewood Inn. The question quickly becomes: Just how far is this someone willing to go?
This was a fabulous read that kept me interested through every page. It has romance of course, but plenty of suspense and mystery too. You won't regret picking this book up!
April 3, 2020
This is such a good book!
I truly enjoyed reading it!
It's an emotional, sexy, romantic
& suspenseful story.
Eve, recently inherited her family Inn.
Unfortunately, she has a bunch of free-loading relatives, who think different.
Dylan, is a single father. He is helping
Eve with the Inn's repairs.
Everything you want in a true romance.
Eve, Dylan & Palmer, steal your heart
from the very first pages to the last.
I loved everything about this Must
Read Story!!
I truly enjoyed reading it!
It's an emotional, sexy, romantic
& suspenseful story.
Eve, recently inherited her family Inn.
Unfortunately, she has a bunch of free-loading relatives, who think different.
Dylan, is a single father. He is helping
Eve with the Inn's repairs.
Everything you want in a true romance.
Eve, Dylan & Palmer, steal your heart
from the very first pages to the last.
I loved everything about this Must
Read Story!!
April 5, 2020
Whewwwww...what a heart stopping, fear gripping, suspenseful, who dunnit romance that will keep you glued to your seat trying to figure it all out! Loved it💞💞💞💞💞
April 27, 2020
Loved it. Certainly an interesting cast of characters. Written the way they are you love them or hate them (because they deserve it!). Romance and mystery topped with a happy ending.
March 30, 2020
OMG!!! I could not put down this book!
Really I literally had a hard time putting it down.
Eve and Dylan are great together! Love the story and the action.
Just OMG!!
Really I literally had a hard time putting it down.
Eve and Dylan are great together! Love the story and the action.
Just OMG!!
April 6, 2020
Great book! Eve has a terrible family and an equally terrible ex. Dylan is a good man with a good family who has had a rough go of things. The two unite and go through a roller coaster together. The story will keep you guessing who did it. Very enjoyable read. Also, a gorgeous cover!
August 5, 2025
Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
April 5, 2020
Hope Harbor is a page turner from beginning to end. A who done it murder mystery with twists and turns the intrigue never ends. Dylan and Eve have sizzling chemistry and an instant rapport that leads to love. I loved the ending and closed the book thoroughly entertained.
April 11, 2020
Great story of Evelyn Candlewood and her crazy relatives. Eve is brought back to Hope Harbor when she finds out that her grandfather has suddenly died. The Inn which he owned has housed most of her family for years and they have all lived off the proceeds. The family want Eve back quickly so that they can find out what is in the Will! Grandpa left Eve everything and her relatives are not happy one bit.
Eve's family are really odd characters and only Eve and an old aunt seem normal! Eve's saving grace is the local handyman Dylan. When they meet the attraction is mutual.
As Eve tries to follow her grandfathers instructions and get the family out of the Inn, strange events keep happening, and all the while the relationship between Eve and Dylan keeps building.
Great mystery story that keeps you guessing all the way through.
Eve's family are really odd characters and only Eve and an old aunt seem normal! Eve's saving grace is the local handyman Dylan. When they meet the attraction is mutual.
As Eve tries to follow her grandfathers instructions and get the family out of the Inn, strange events keep happening, and all the while the relationship between Eve and Dylan keeps building.
Great mystery story that keeps you guessing all the way through.
April 12, 2020
Really adore this heartwarming journey filled with engaging charters, witty and memorable dialog, heart racing twist, emotionally thrilling turns and a sweetly sexy second chance couple. Could not put this adventure down and devoured the pages in one day! (got no house work done...lol)
September 7, 2020
Wonderful mystery love story
This was a great story! I was happy when Eve left the city to go home, and then there was mystery, and romance everything went really fast and I’m glad I picked this book to read today! I’ve read several of Ms. Sanders’ books and this was did not disappoint me either!
This was a great story! I was happy when Eve left the city to go home, and then there was mystery, and romance everything went really fast and I’m glad I picked this book to read today! I’ve read several of Ms. Sanders’ books and this was did not disappoint me either!
June 7, 2020
Eve moved away from home because of her selfish family, they were not a family at all, but all she craved was being loved. Her grandfather’s love was all the memories she had after he passed, but he left her the Inn, and the selfish family. A Romance, adventure and murder mystery. A Great story
April 29, 2020
I loved this book!! Great story!! Love this author's books!!!
August 22, 2020
Gave to a friend
I loved it. I checked to see if it was a series; disappointed that it’s not. It held my attention thruout the whole book. Thank you for writing it
I loved it. I checked to see if it was a series; disappointed that it’s not. It held my attention thruout the whole book. Thank you for writing it
August 23, 2020
Good read. Lots of suspense. Loved Dylan.
August 28, 2023
" You're the only family I need ".
.
Update : after thinking more about it, it's more a 2.5 for me
*Thanks to the author for the copy they sent me in exchange for my honest review *
What I liked :
The scenery: the island and the Inn were brought to life before my eyes and I really wanted to enjoy it too
Palmer: She is cute,she is fun, she is full of life. Palmer saved the game
The trope " I'm taking care of you while you're sick", that's always a winner
Grandpa Reggie: He knew his deal and I wish we could meet him
What I disliked :
The insta love/lust: one look, conveniently at the same moment and both are a goner. And it's easy peasy till the very end. Perfect relationship for a perfect new family
The perfection of the MC: Whatever they do, it's perfect. Especially Eve who is a Saint compared to her family, which is the cliche of a bad family. No Redemption here for anyone, the whole pack is trash
The investigation/ mystery: It felt flat and non very believable. The big reveal was acceptable but didn't throw me out of my chair.
The pacing in the Love story
The repetition in the writing
In conclusion, it was a bittersweet moment for me. The moments that I enjoyed weren't numerous enough to balance with the other ones.
.
Update : after thinking more about it, it's more a 2.5 for me
*Thanks to the author for the copy they sent me in exchange for my honest review *
What I liked :
The scenery: the island and the Inn were brought to life before my eyes and I really wanted to enjoy it too
Palmer: She is cute,she is fun, she is full of life. Palmer saved the game
The trope " I'm taking care of you while you're sick", that's always a winner
Grandpa Reggie: He knew his deal and I wish we could meet him
What I disliked :
The insta love/lust: one look, conveniently at the same moment and both are a goner. And it's easy peasy till the very end. Perfect relationship for a perfect new family
The perfection of the MC: Whatever they do, it's perfect. Especially Eve who is a Saint compared to her family, which is the cliche of a bad family. No Redemption here for anyone, the whole pack is trash
The investigation/ mystery: It felt flat and non very believable. The big reveal was acceptable but didn't throw me out of my chair.
The pacing in the Love story
The repetition in the writing
In conclusion, it was a bittersweet moment for me. The moments that I enjoyed weren't numerous enough to balance with the other ones.
September 6, 2020
I liked the characters but the plot went to some strange places. I was not expecting all the murders and the crimes and the 'evil' family members seemed overdone and silly. I had to laugh when the villain got a nail from a nail gun through their eye. Dramatic much? The balance wasn't right and I found the mystery element jarring and felt it brought down the story. I was skipping pages to get to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
Non-stop action
An action-packed romantic suspense that will keep you involved from start to finish. There were just so many people with so many back stories, it was hard to follow at times and I found myself skimming the pages. ThE end was a surprise for me so I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
An action-packed romantic suspense that will keep you involved from start to finish. There were just so many people with so many back stories, it was hard to follow at times and I found myself skimming the pages. ThE end was a surprise for me so I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
August 16, 2020
Sorry book !!! Waste of time !! WHY can't people write nice clean books ?? Would have been a good book without all the sex. Please find another good, clean book to read !!!
One sorry book !!! Please don't waste your time !!! Find a good clean book to read. Some writers have no morals at all.
One sorry book !!! Please don't waste your time !!! Find a good clean book to read. Some writers have no morals at all.
January 18, 2021
I'd give this 3.5 stars. I had a hard time putting it down, but the editing was poor. Plenty of typos and wrong words need correcting. And the timeline didn't feel accurate. Contractors/construction doesn't happen as fast as it did in the book. Loved the sex scenes. Chick lit-I'd recommend to a select group of friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews