Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.
Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.
But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.
Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.
Best-selling author Colleen Coble‘s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at http://colleencoble.com.
My Impressions:
Somehow I missed the first book of Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach series, Tidewater Inn. With books 2 and 3 already read, I decided to remedy the problem with an audiobook that accompanied my morning walks. It proved a good choice in providing mysterious doings set on an island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This one is a good choice for fans of romantic suspense.
The summer time setting of an island was perfect for staycation reading. Tidewater Inn provides the smell of salt, the sound of waves, plenty of fresh seafood, and a small beach town vibe. I liked the main characters’ instant chemistry that grew as they faced a truly puzzling mystery. The reader is let in on some of the elements of the whodunit, but there were enough surprise twists to keep the pages turning. Kidnappings, murder accusations, and a threatening hurricane amp up the suspense factor. Romance and suspense are equal partners in the book, and readers of this genre will not be disappointed. And if you are fan of Coble’s other works you will enjoy the character crossover from the Rock Harbor series. As always the author weaves a faith message into the story line. The struggle to act in a Christ-like manner, even in the face of rejection and hostility is portrayed in Libby’s relationship with her new-found family. The audio version of this book was an easy listen — pleasant voice, good timing, and a quality recording.
While I read this book in the midst of summer, Tidewater Inn is worth a trip to Hope Beach at any time of the year. And if this is your first visit, you are in for a treat with all books in the series published. Binge-reading worthy? Oh, yeah!
Recommended.
Audience: adults
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(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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