Haven Point

A Novel

By: Virginia Hume

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweeping debut novel about the generations of a family that spends summers in a seaside enclave on Maine's rocky coastline, for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Beatriz Williams, and Sarah Blake.

The year 1944: Maren Larsen is a blonde beauty from a small Minnesota farming town, determined to do her part to help the war effort - and to see the world beyond her family’s cornfields. As a cadet nurse at Walter Reed Medical Center, she’s swept off her feet by Dr. Oliver Demarest, a handsome Boston Brahmin whose family spends summers in an insular community on the rocky coast of Maine.

The year 1970: As the nation grapples with the ongoing conflict in Vietnam, Oliver and Maren are grappling with their fiercely independent 17-year-old daughter, Annie, who has fallen for a young man they don’t approve of. Before the summer is over, a terrible tragedy will strike the Demarests - and in the aftermath, Annie vows never to return to Haven Point.

The year 2008: Annie’s daughter, Skye, has arrived in Maine to help scatter her mother’s ashes. Maren knows that her granddaughter inherited Annie’s view of Haven Point: Despite the wild beauty and quaint customs, the regattas and clambakes and sing-alongs, she finds the place - and the people - snobbish and petty. But Maren also knows that Annie never told Skye the whole truth about what happened during that fateful summer.

Over seven decades of a changing America, through wars and storms, betrayals and reconciliations, Virginia Hume's Haven Point explores what it means to belong to a place, and to a family, that holds as tightly to its traditions as it does its secrets.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 Virginia Hume (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Reference

I also heard Dana Perino recommend this book. It was excellent and I highly recommend it.

My summer escape

Loved this book as it was exactly what I needed to escape. I’m not a big reader but always desired to be. I listened and was captivated by the imagery and enjoyed every word. Thank you, Virginia Hume for helping a momma out! ✨

Great summer read!

Really enjoyed this book—-had a few unexpected plot developments. Storyline somewhat predictable, but still a really enjoyable read! Did not want to put it down—-Audible voice of Cassandra Campbell was phenomenal—-Really glad I listened to this!!! Highly recommend:)

Great story written and read

I heard about this book from Dana Perino while watching the Five and I bought it. I’m so glad - Dana was right - great story. I loved this book and will definitely tell others about it. Cassandra Campbell also did an excellent job of reading it; her voice and skill with the characters was perfect. It’s one of those books where I’m sad my read is over.

Haven Point

I had a hard time getting into this story, but did like that the women in this book were strong. The narrator did a great job, but I struggled with staying focused on what what happening. I loved our trip to Maine, and was maybe hoping to recapture some of the magic I felt when I was there. I will try another book by Virginia Hume, and may come back and read this one again to see if it was the story or just me.

Touching, relatable and just beautiful, a must read

A beautiful multigenerational story that weaves worthy and relatable characters in a story of how tradition and community can protect, ostracize, support, comfort, and change.

It all made sense at the end..

Great summer read. I really enjoyed this family and their journey through life. At times I didn't agree with how some issues were handled but by the end of the book, I understood.

Overall, loved this book..

All the feels by the sea

Loved this book. What a waves of all the emotions. Anyone can relate to the fullness of this novel.

Good

I enjoyed reading this story as it is not one I would usually listen too.

Loved it!

This story was enjoyable from start to finish. It was a reflection of the life of a family that was relatable to this reader. The characters were believable. It was well written. I did not have to check my morals at the door to read it and at the same time did not want to fall asleep due to boredom. I finished listening in 2 days time.

The narration was excellent. She added to the enjoyment of the book.