I enjoyed the premise of this novel immensely, especially the theme of forgiveness, and how people can change. I thought the main character was a little too one-dimensional, and I took a point off because some of the dialogue was redundant. However, I liked the small town setting and the different relationships between mothers and daughters.

Josie had a tough childhood. Her mom was an alcoholic and she lost all trust in people. When her grandmother dies she leaves. Her her home and a restaurant in happy harbor. Can she overcome her childhood and learn to trust again.

I received a prepublication digital copy of Happy Harbor from the publisher for review. The novel is a story of love, redemption, and relationship recovery. The novel had several concurrent subplots blended smoothly together. The mother-daughter relationship struggles (between Diane and Josie as well as between Josie and Kendra) are realistic and relatable and are confronted and resolved with courage, keeping the reader engaged. Meanwhile the romantic relationships that develop between Josie and Walker, as well as between Kendra and Scotty, are genuine and wholesome, bringing the reader a sense of satisfaction and completion. This romance novel had just enough struggle to keep it interesting, and the characters remained true to themselves throughout while developing and becoming their best selves. This hope of redemption and the gift of second chances are themes that most readers seek.

In Rachel Hanna's poignant and heartwarming novel, "Happy Harbor," Josie Campbell, a woman who has spent years distancing herself from her troubled childhood in the small Southern town of Happy Harbor, is forced to confront her past when she returns home following the death of her beloved grandmother. As Josie reluctantly steps into her grandmother's shoes, she finds herself running the family restaurant, living in the historic family home, and crossing paths with the enigmatic and attractive Walker Jackson. Amidst the beauty of the town and the love of her daughter, Kendra, who thrives in this new environment, Josie struggles to reconcile with the painful memories that haunt her. However, Josie's journey towards healing and forgiveness takes an unexpected turn when her estranged mother, Diane, arrives, claiming to be sober and seeking a second chance. Torn between her longing for a family and the lifetime of pain inflicted by her mother's past actions, Josie must decide whether she can find it in her heart to forgive and rebuild a relationship with Diane. Hanna's writing is evocative and skillfully captures Josie's emotions and the nuances of her relationships. The setting of Happy Harbor is vividly portrayed, becoming a character in its own right, with its charm and history playing a significant role in Josie's journey. "Happy Harbor" is a compelling story about confronting the past, finding forgiveness, and ultimately discovering healing and hope. Hanna delves into the intricacies of the character's lives, the lasting effects of trauma, and the power of second chances, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and thought-provoking. Readers will find themselves invested in Josie's struggle and rooting for her as she navigates the challenges of her past and embraces the possibility of a brighter future.

What a beautiful story about how a single mother Josie who has to overcome trust issues. The only constant in her life has been her Nana. First, her mother, an alcoholic deserts her and she’s raised by her Nana. Her daughter, Kendra starts getting into trouble at school. She loses her job for being too controlling and not a team player and her fiancé cheats on her and breaks the engagement. Nana passes away and she relocates to run her restaurant. The hiccup is that her mother is a server and in recovery. Can she trust her mother? Can she run a restaurant and be part of a team? Can she trust Walker, Nana’s handsome tenant? Can Kendra adjust and get her life back on track.?I found myself totally involved with the characters. Heartwarming ending. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.