Sea Glass Cottage

A Hope Harbor Novel

Irene Hannon, Revell (APR 5) Hardcover $29.99 (352pp), 978-0-8007-4104-4

In Irene Hannon’s Christian romance novel Sea Glass Cottage, two hearts rekindle a spark that both thought was extinguished forever.

Jack is content with his life in cozy Hope Harbor, so when Christi—the girl who shattered his heart years ago—shows up asking for his help, he is hesitant to get involved, much less give her a second chance. A sudden challenge, however, soon makes it clear that he needs Christi’s help, too. As necessity draws the two closer together, Jack realizes that there might be a happy ending for them after all.

The writing is descriptive and poignant, often using body language (exhausted, Christi props her head in her hands; wary, a woman shifts on her crutches) to convey emotions. Descriptions of places around Hope Harbor abound, with the serene coastline creating the perfect contrast to the cast’s inner turmoil.

Jack and Christi remember and reveal their pasts in parts, resulting in an air of mystery and a sense of their inescapable connection. Hope Harbor’s colorful townspeople help them on their way: a taco seller, Charley, acts as a wise sage; Jack’s daughter, Hannah, adds childish joy, even as she grieves her mother’s death.

Themes of faith and forgiveness ring strong throughout, with Christi working through feelings of guilt, and Jack his of resentment. Christi explains that the change in her can be attributed to the relationship she found with God after her devastating first marriage. A secondary story line—that of a shop owner and her estranged husband—results in lessons on forgiveness; the couple reconnects while helping a foster child, without taking away focus from Christi and Jack’s story.

Set in a charming town with inhabitants who are just as charming, the Christian romance novel Sea Glass Cottage is a sweet story of second chances.