Review of The Haven

[Laney K]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Haven" by Hannah Westley.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Sisters Hazel and Bridget, two young Irish women, find themselves in a small fishing village. They had been sent there by Hazel's husband, an abusive drunk, who had convinced her to get back an item he said had been stolen by Captain Jefferson Briggs. As Hazel attempts to find and retrieve the item, she begins to develop feelings for Jefferson. She is torn between the man she vowed to be with and the man who might show her love. However, she also knows that her husband is vindictive and will not let her go without a fight. Will Hazel find her happiness? What will her husband do? Read The Haven by Hannah Westley to find out.

The character of Hazel both frustrated and inspired me. At the beginning of the book, I had no idea why she was so motivated to work on the fishing ship when it was clear she knew nothing about harvesting oysters. While it does make sense as part of the plan set in place by her husband, it did seem like an odd choice to try and gain employment. It seemed as though she was simply being arrogant, and I became quite annoyed at her character. However, as more of her backstory was revealed, her character grew on me and demonstrated great strength. Her development throughout the book kept me hooked.

I also appreciated Westley's dedication to thorough research and use of historical events. She took the time to explain which events in the book were based on actual events in the author's note at the end. For example, Jefferson's ship was a real ship, the E.C. Collier, that was built in 1910. Her love of the Chesapeake Bay area is evident from the research and vivid descriptions in the book.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The book was well-edited, had beautiful descriptions, and compelling characters. I can think of nothing that I disliked about it. The Haven is a wonderful option for romance and historical fiction fans. I believe it is best suited for adult readers since it does contain some profanity. It is the second in Westley's series, and having previously read the first book, I can confidently say they are both worth reading! The books in the series can also be read as standalone novels.

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The Haven
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[Kibet Hillary]

I am an ardent reader of history and historical fiction, and hence I am happy that the historical elements in the book were well-researched. My curiosity is piqued to know how the first meeting played out between Hazel and Jefferson. Many thanks for the review, @Laney K.

[Onyemuwa-dave]

I really appreciate how you captured Hazel's journey from frustrating to ultimately inspiring, showcasing her "great strength" and compelling development. It's also awesome that you highlighted Westley's "thorough research" and use of real historical details like the E.C. Collier ship. Thanks for sharing such an awesome review.

[Spoorthy S]

This review sounds great. I mean, this is beautifully explained and the author's point of view is conveyed rather perspectively. I think I'll enjoy the book to, if it has history notes. Thank you for the review!