Dune Island Series by Kristin Harper

Making her way up the cedar-lined driveway, tears fill her eyes at the sight of the cottage’s faded trim and peeling turquoise shutters. Taking a deep breath, she grasps the heart-shaped iron door handle and steps inside the once-happy childhood home she’s been avoiding... moreMaking her way up the cedar-lined driveway, tears fill her eyes at the sight of the cottage’s faded trim and peeling turquoise shutters. Taking a deep breath, she grasps the heart-shaped iron door handle and steps inside the once-happy childhood home she’s been avoiding. It is time to face up to the past…When Emily’s fiancé walks out on her while she’s still grieving the loss of her family in a terrible accident, she escapes back to Hope Haven on the remote Dune Island, where her family vacationed every summer. Emily hopes that fixing up the house will also mend her broken heart, but the cottage holds more than just bittersweet childhood memories. Emptying her father’s antique writing desk, Emily finds a letter that reveals a devastating secret about her parents.With a head full of questions that can never be answered, it seems like returning to the island was the worst decision Emily ever made… until she meets Lucas Socorro, saltwater dripping from his dark curls after a surf session. As they take long walks on the soft sand, and talk late into the firefly-lit night, Emily wonders if Dr Luke—as the kids in the hospital call him—could be the one to help her heal. With Luke holding her hand, delving into her family’s painful past is a little easier.Painting the gloomy cottage walls the colour of seashells, and revamping her grandmother’s flea-market furniture, Emily starts to feel she might call Dune Island home for good—and that she could build that home right here with Luke. But when Emily’s family secret spreads through a network of local gossips, her fragile heart breaks all over again. Luke is the only one who could have started the rumours. Was she wrong to trust him so easily?As the sun sets behind the dunes, Emily has a difficult decision to make. Does she pack her bags and leave the island for good? Or take a risk that Hope Haven has everything she’s been looking for?A beautiful and emotional read that will make you long to feel the sand beneath your feet. Perfect for fans of Nancy Thayer, Tracy Brogan and Mary Alice Monroe. less

Clearing out the attic, Zoey opens the carved trunk and smiles as she picks up the small, leather-bound diary hiding inside. Curious, she leafs through the pages, and realises this will change everything…All Zoey’s happiest childhood memories are of her great-aunt Ivy’s rickety cottage on Dune Island, snuggling up with hot chocolate and hearing Ivy’s stories about being married to a sea captain... moreClearing out the attic, Zoey opens the carved trunk and smiles as she picks up the small, leather-bound diary hiding inside. Curious, she leafs through the pages, and realises this will change everything…All Zoey’s happiest childhood memories are of her great-aunt Ivy’s rickety cottage on Dune Island, snuggling up with hot chocolate and hearing Ivy’s stories about being married to a sea captain. Now, heartbroken from a breakup, Zoey escapes back to the island, but is shocked to find her elderly aunt’s spark fading. Worse, her cousin—next in line to inherit the house—is pushing Ivy to move into a nursing home.With the family clashing over what’s best for Ivy, Zoey is surprised when Nick, a local carpenter and Ivy’s neighbor, takes her side. As Zoey finds comfort in his sea-blue eyes and warm laugh, the two grow close. Together, they make a discovery in the attic that links the family to the mysterious and reclusive local lighthouse keeper…Now Zoey has a heartbreaking choice to make. Nick’s urging her to share the discovery, which could keep Ivy in the house she’s loved her whole life… but when Zoey learns that Nick and her cousin go way back, she questions if the man she‘s starting to have feelings for really has Ivy’s best interests at heart. Will dredging up this old secret destroy the peace and happiness of Ivy’s final years—and tear this family apart for good? less

Periwinkle-blue flowers spill over the picket fence, framing the simple wooden sign that reads Hydrangea House . But Molly's eyes fill with tears. Her grandmother Beverley used to stand right there in the doorway, ready to welcome guests. Now Beverley is gone, will the inn close forever?Grieving and newly single Molly Anderson begs the wealthy Frost family, owners of Hydrangea House, to allow her to run the inn for one last summer before they shut it down... morePeriwinkle-blue flowers spill over the picket fence, framing the simple wooden sign that reads Hydrangea House . But Molly's eyes fill with tears. Her grandmother Beverley used to stand right there in the doorway, ready to welcome guests. Now Beverley is gone, will the inn close forever?Grieving and newly single Molly Anderson begs the wealthy Frost family, owners of Hydrangea House, to allow her to run the inn for one last summer before they shut it down. She vows to give the final guests a summer to remember by the sea. It's what Beverly-who worked uncomplainingly for the Frosts her whole life-would have wanted.But when an elderly woman checks in claiming to know a secret about Beverly's true connection to the Frost family, everything Molly knows about her beloved grandmother is called into question. The woman says that a message in a bottle hidden somewhere at Hydrangea House, will not only reveal the truth, but could stop the Frosts' plan in its tracks.Desperate to do whatever she can to save Hydrangea House, Molly combs the inn from attic to basement, helped by visiting oceanographer Matt . She could never get involved with a guest, but Matt's kindness as he listens to her worries, and the way his deep brown eyes keep locking with hers are hard to ignore...But as they fill their summer with searching, rumors and bad reviews about Molly start to spread. By delving into the mystery of the past, has she shattered any chance of the inn's future? Can Matt be trusted, or is he more closely linked to the Frost family than she thought? And when she finally unlocks the secret about her grandmother, will it bring Molly peace-or tear her apart?An absolutely gorgeous read about learning to trust, the meaning of home, and the importance of family. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Carolyn Brown and Mary Alice Monroe will be captivated.Read what everyone's saying about Kristin Harper:"WOW! Double up that WOW! This book was AMAZING!... perfect... I fell in love with the main character... Run, don't walk to pick up this book... An unforgettable story." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Oh my giddy aunt what a fabulous tale... totally intriguing and beautifully executed... outstandingly fabulous book... can highly recommend this fantastic author." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Brilliant book... I totally loved... emotional... had me gripped from the beginning... I found it incredibly difficult to put down... Captivated me... Kept me reading into the early hours... I would definitely recommend this." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Such a fantastic novel! I devoured it... Wow!... Captured my attention from page one until the end!... What a story! Made me want to cry and scream at the characters... Stole my heart... Loved this amazing novel... Truly a gem... I loved this book and I didn't want it to end... An awesome read." Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ less

The long, tarnished chain and heart-shaped pendant is heavy in Paige’s hand. Carefully prying it open she can just make out the tiny engraving inside. What she reads will change everything she ever believed about her great-aunt Violet, and their family history…When newly single and heartbroken Paige inherits an isolated cottage facing out to the wild sea on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, she is shocked... moreThe long, tarnished chain and heart-shaped pendant is heavy in Paige’s hand. Carefully prying it open she can just make out the tiny engraving inside. What she reads will change everything she ever believed about her great-aunt Violet, and their family history…When newly single and heartbroken Paige inherits an isolated cottage facing out to the wild sea on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, she is shocked. Paige never even met Violet, and she’s heard family stories about how a terrible incident involving the wealthy neighboring Hathaway family during World War Two led Violet to withdraw from everyone. But why would Violet leave everything to her?Determined to clear out the cottage and sell it as quickly as possible, when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway as he walks back from the beach, at first she’s guarded. But Seth’s easy smile makes her think that maybe the Hathaways can be trusted after all…Then Paige finds an old envelope containing her aunt’s only piece of jewelry. The romantic message inscribed inside brings tears to her eyes, and Seth shows her how the initials match those carved with a heart into an ancient beech tree on her aunt’s property. Did Violet live her whole life yearning for the person who gave her the locket?As Paige and Seth grow closer, she starts to wonder if she could find happiness right here on Dune Island. And if Paige discovers the identity of Violet’s lost love, can she finally clear her aunt’s name—or in this tight-knit island community, should some secrets be left in the past forever?Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Carolyn Brown and Barbara O’Neal will adore this absolutely stunning and addictive read about the sacrifices people make to be with the ones they love, and how bringing family secrets into the light can change everything. Read what everyone’s saying about Kristin “WOW! Double up that WOW! This book was AMAZING!... perfect… I fell in love with the main character… Run, don't walk to pick up this book… An unforgettable story.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Oh my giddy aunt what a fabulous tale… totally intriguing and beautifully executed… outstandingly fabulous book… can highly recommend this fantastic author.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Brilliant book… I totally loved… emotional… had me gripped from the beginning… I found it incredibly difficult to put down… Captivated me… Kept me reading into the early hours… I would definitely recommend this.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!… another delightful, sweet read… lovely, heart-warming characters.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This is a wonderful, heart-warming story that will lift your spirit and heart!... less