Crystal's Pick: Happy Harbor by Rachel Hanna

Josie Campbell has spent her entire adult life distancing herself from her childhood in the small Southern town of Happy Harbor. But when her life falls apart, and her beloved nana dies, Josie is forced to return to the one place she never wanted to visit again. Soon, she finds herself stepping into Nana’s shoes in Happy Harbor: running her quaint restaurant, living in their family’s historic home, and bumping into Walker Jackson—the disturbingly handsome man who lives in the guest house—on a near daily basis.

Welcome to the charming Southern town of Happy Harbor. 

This book begins with Josie Campbell’s near perfect life in Atlanta being completely derailed.  To add more disappointment, her Nana dies.  Josie must now return to the small town of Happy Harbor for her Nana’s funeral, the reading of the will, and to settle her Nana’s affairs. 

At the will reading, Josie finds out she is inheriting Nana’s restaurant and home, but there are some stipulations.  Nana did an excellent job of planning things out just the way she wanted them to happen.  Josie is struggling with past hurts and disappointments caused by her mother’s addiction to alcohol when she was a child. 

Diane, Josie’s mother, shows up in Happy Harbor claiming to be clean and sober.  She’s seeking to make amends with Josie so they can repair their relationship.  Josie wants a relationship with her mother, but she’s afraid history may repeat itself. 

Happy Harbor by Rachel Hanna was a wonderful story about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the importance of family.  - Crystal, Technical Services Librarian