This was a beautiful story. I can't wait to read more of this series. I loved the story of finding hope, healing and learning to fall in love again. This was just a fell good book. You will want to cuddle up with this book by a warm fire! I highly recommend this book!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Emily is dealing with a lot of loss right now since her parents passed away she's been having a hard time with the grieving process that it ended up impacting her relationship with her fiance then now they separated and she has run to the family's vacation home Hope Haven. She's got the summer to figure out things while she repairs the house and things seems to get a little bit more interesting when Dr Luke shows up.

I really enjoyed this book. There was just so much going on not in a way where it's very dramatic but in a way you could see that Emily is going through a lot right now and it was interesting seeing how she was getting through it. Then there was a letter that was found that made Emily first happy until she looked deeper into the meaning of what what that letter was entailing with family secrets. I enjoyed seeing the romance between Luke and Emily. But of course all things have to end and Emily might have to go back to her old life and it was just interesting seeing what the summer had to offer for her I really enjoyed it. Can you tell I'm having a hard time talking about this book without spoiling it? If you'd like a good book to read the summer I suggest putting this one on your summer reading list.

Summer at Hope Haven by Kristin Harper is the first book in the Dune Island series, and I'd love to read more. The story of Emily Vandemark returning to the family summer cottage after their deaths was a lovely story of grief, growth and love. The surprise she found, while surprising, didn't feel like it overwhelmed the book. Emily's story of healing and love shown through and reminded me of the different paths a life can take.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

I enjoyed reading Summer at Hope Haven by Kristin Harper. The characters in this story will warm your heart! Happy Reading!
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Emily escapes to a wonderful small town after losing her family. The small seaside community is full of wo derful vivid characters, a gorgeous scenic location, and a community that cares deeply for one another. A warm hearted emotional read.

I really loved this book It was so sad that Emily's fiancé left her and she had to deal with the loss of her family, I really liked the name of the town called Hope Haven It really felt like a beautiful place it was an all around good read.

I am not sure how I would deal with losing my entire family. Emily goes with all she has left and struggles through her grief. She has a lot of ups and downs as anyone would. She is walking through a lot of memories. She also has a hard time trusting. This is a really good read.

Summer at Hope Haven tells the story of Emily, a woman who has recently lost everythinh- her family to a crash, her fiance, and expectedly the desire to work/move forward. Once her semester ends Emily takes leave and travels to Dune Island, a place she has beautiful memories with her family. While there she has agreed to paint the new children's ward of the hospital.

Emily takes the summer to heal with the closest thing she has to family, her brothers best friend Wilson and his pregnant wife. She finds romance with local pediatric surgeon Dr Lucas but will it go anywhere with her needing healing?

Kristen Harper has truly written a meaningful, touching, emotional and beautiful summer romance that takes the reader on a journey of healing and discovery after loss. She gives her characters depth, hope and genuine emotional connections. One of the best novels I have read this year!

This is the 2nd book I've read by this author.
I really loved the small town feel. ( I guess it's because I'm from a small town).
I love the book I've read before so I was happy to see this one.

2.5 stars

I loved the coastal/island setting. And I really appreciated that this book showed the complexities and the ups and downs of grief. The mystery was a fun element, even though I found it to be predictible. I did enjoy the overall story, but it didn't entirely work for me.

The miscommunication trope was a recurring theme. The main characters frequently jumped to assumptions and just didn't discuss things. It seemed immature and made the drama felt forced. And the dialog had a stilted feel.

If you are a fan of the dramatic, almost indulgent type of non-steamy contemporary romance, then you'll probably enjoy this one.

Emily needs a break. She heads back to the beach cottage where she spent a lot of her youth. She is hired to paint murals on the new children’s wing of the hospital. She meets Lucas, who is a DR at the hospital.
The characters in this book jump to a lot of conclusions and keep secrets. Because of this, they don’t ask questions so there is a lot of conflict that could be avoided. A bit immature at times.
I had a hard time connecting to the characters in this book and I really wanted to.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

There are lots of stories about returning to your childhood cabin, cottage, small town home etc. out there. They are usually very sweet stories of finding your way, finding love, finding a new life path. This story has all of that and more. Big secret that adds to this heartwarming/heartbreaking book.

“𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯; 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘮.” - 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯”

Thank you so much Forever Publishing for the #gifted "first in a paperback" copy of Summer At Hope Haven (Dune Island Series #1) by Kristin Harper. Also, thank you Netgalley for the eARC. Please note that all opinions expressed are mine alone.

Trigger Warnings ⚠️
• Tragic loss of family
• Adultery

𝘚𝘠𝘕𝘖𝘗𝘚𝘐𝘚
Grieving the loss of her family in a terrible accident, Emily escapes to Hope Haven on remote Dune Island, where they all vacationed every summer. She hopes that fixing up the house will also mend her broken heart, but the cottage holds more than just childhood memories. Emptying her father’s antique writing desk, Emily finds a letter that reveals a devastating secret about her parents.

𝘐 𝘌𝘕𝘑𝘖𝘠𝘌𝘋...
• The immersive small-town New England island setting.
• The Contemporary Romance genre is depicted appropriately with a few intense conflicts and clean romance connections.
• Page turning and fast read.
• The dialog is plentiful and flowed smoothly.
• It is easy to get emotionally attached to the characters.
• Character development is impressive and balanced.

𝘐 𝘏𝘈𝘋 𝘈 𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘋 𝘛𝘐𝘔𝘌 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏...
• The miscommunication trope is presented several times with characters jumping to conclusions too soon.
• Emily's ex-fiance was an unlikeable and also unbelievable character.

𝘖𝘝𝘌𝘙𝘈𝘓𝘓
Summer at Hope Haven was a great read with many enjoyable and entertaining moments that kept me turning the pages. It would make for a great Hallmark movie. This book is part of The Dune Island series and I would love to pursue reading the other books in this series in the future.

Emily is devastated when her fiance leaves her, especially since she just lost her family in a horrible accident. She decides to flee to Hope Haven, a place filled with wonderful memories from all the summers her family vacationed there. While there she decides to fix up their cottage and hopes her heartbreak will fade away. Things don't go as planned though, she finds a letter that turns her world upside down. She can't ask her parents to answer all the questions she has leaving her more bereft than when.she arrived. When she meets Lucas and spend time with him she begins to believe she might just heal after all. Then when rumors about her family make it all.over the island she wonders if trusting Lucas was indeed a good idea. Emily isn't sure which way to turn. Follow along and see what path Emily takes and if her heartbreak will mend when all is said and done.

What a transformative story that will make you laugh and bring you to tears as you read it.

After losing her parents and only sibling in a crash, Emily travels to the family cottage where summer memories were made. She redecorates the house and stumbles upon a family secret that alters her view of love, life, and family.

As an artist, she volunteers her painting expertise is n the new pediatric wing of the island hospital. Along the way she meets a great group of healthcare professionals who welcome her to the island.

She connects with Lucas, a pediatric surgeon but her romantic past has altered her perception of love and ability to trust. She jumps to conclusions and ambushes the relationship. When a reporter interviews her facts are revealed that few know and the reveal upsets her greatly. Can she and Lucas get past situations to listen and understand the actions of the other?

A wonderful 5 star read that was an ARC provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Kristin Harper.  I really liked Dune Island and could easily picture Emily's cottage.Emily's character grew so much in the book,  She was a brave woman, struggling to cope with life, and she did not realize her inner strength or how the cottage would become her home.  I really liked her and how the author quickly pulled me into her story, made me curious, and made me want to root for Emily.  Life changed and moved on for her but her memories became soothing, welcome joys.  The island, the artistic murals Emily painted all made me hope Emily would find herself and her joy and maybe love again.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Summer at Hope Have by Kristin Harper was a light, enjoyable read with a predictable, happy ending. Emily, one of the main characters is very likable and you find yourself cheering for her. Actually everyone, but one character, you find yourself loving. And, Hope Haven sounds like a place I would love to live. I would definitely recommend this book. I am hoping the author will make this into a series. Thank you NetGalley for this great beach read.

Emily has come home to her family’s cabin in Hope Haven, broken-hearted from the loss of her family in a tragic accident and a failed engagement. She needs somewhere to heal, and the cabin could be just the place. Emily has her childhood friend and his family right next door which gives her peace of mind while she recovers. Emily has also agreed to paint the new children’s wing at the local hospital to help keep her mind busy. Emily wants solitude, but she finds herself being drawn into the town and the people who live there, especially Luke, one of the town’s doctors whom she has a run in with on her very first day in town. Emily knows she will be leaving at the end of the summer, so is risking her heart again worth it? When Emily finds a hidden letter, will it tear her world apart once again?

Author Kristin Harper brings us a story of loss and tragedy, hope and new beginnings. The characters are so well written you can feel their emotions coming right off the pages. I was drawn right into Emily and Luke’s story and loved not only their characters, but the supporting characters as well. It was so heartwarming watching Emily recover and find her way again. Forever Publishing gifted me a copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. It was so heartwarming watching Emily recover and find her way again.

Emily is still reeling from the sudden deaths of her mother, father, and brother in a helicopter crash nine months earlier when she arrives on Dune Island off the New England coast. She has come from Seattle for the summer to paint murals in the new children's wing at the hospital on the island as a distraction and a way to honor her family. She has not been to her family's cottage there in a long time and almost sneaks away. This is a moving story of finding your way from the depths of grief and discovering reasons to go on again. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking to see what else she has written.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

I received a free copy of, Summer at Hope Haven, by Kristin Harper, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is book 1 of the Dune Island Series. After losing her family, Emily escapes to Dune Island, to get away from it all. Starting over isnt easy all by herself. Such an enjoyable read. Emily lost her family, I could not even imagine wanting to go on after that, but Emily does.