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Lighthouse Lane #1

Tides of Hope

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He's an officer...but is he a gentleman?Not if you ask feisty single mom Kate MacDonald! Everything about Lieutenant Craig Cole, Nantucket's new Coast Guard commander, rubs her the wrong way. Worse, everyone else is smitten with the man--including Kate's four-year-old daughter. Local gossip reveals that Craig has saved many in the line of duty. He's a true hero. Kate doesn't want to like him--she certainly doesn't want to love him--but Craig's quiet honor could win her heart after all.

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

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About the author

Irene Hannon

126 books3,028 followers
Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

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5 stars
726 (49%)
4 stars
485 (32%)
3 stars
224 (15%)
2 stars
32 (2%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Heathy.
146 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2016
The female characters in this book really annoyed the snot out of me. First there was Kate, the lead female. From her first appearance, I found her to be way too sassy and arrogant. She thought the rules didn't apply to her, so she was mad when Craig (lead male) gave her a ticket for expired boat flares. Rather than taking responsibility, she got really catty and acted like she was too good for the rules.

Then there was Edith, the elderly babysitter. I found her to be a meddling busybody and I was SO hoping Craig and Kate would NOT end up together, simply to spite Edith. I can't stand people like her who meddle in other people's business when they've clearly been told to butt out.

Yeah, this book was not inspiring at all. The only decent person was Craig.
478 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2015
It was just okay. Way too predictable!
Profile Image for Pam.
2,211 reviews33 followers
May 28, 2009
Pleasant romance about 2nd chances -- Kate is a charter fishing boat captain in Nantucket w/ a young daughter, her husband died suddenly of a heart attack. She's a long time resident and satisfied w/ the status quo -- believes she's had the love of her life. Lt. Craig Cole is the new Coast Guard Commander, he is also a single parent of a young daughter. His wife & son died in a boating accident. He does not want to go through the pain of loss again. Nice setting of Nantucket, daughters bring the parents together, sweet story.
Profile Image for Kathleen Friesen.
Author 7 books40 followers
August 4, 2023
Sigh. If my copy of Once Upon Nantucket had been a paperback, I'd be holding it gently to my chest, because it touched my heart with its wonderful characters, gorgeous setting and romantic plot. Overcoming guilt and daring to step past fear challenged the hero and heroine, and their journey will remain with me for a very long time. Thank you, Irene Hannon, for this lovely story.
Profile Image for Marianne Evans.
Author 52 books87 followers
July 8, 2010
Appealing characters - a well tied together plot demonstrating the importance of trust, faith, and embracing second chances. Well done!
21 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2017
Enjoyable reading of second chances

A heartwarming tale that will put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart! Read and enjoy the journey.
Profile Image for Diane.
1,000 reviews15 followers
August 12, 2023
Cozy contemporary Christian romance set on Nantucket Island. Predictable plot and the neighbor was an annoying character but otherwise a sweet quick read.
20 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2020
Was predictable, but a nice light read and I like Irene Hannon
Profile Image for Sarah Mathisen.
203 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2024
This is a good story. This author is similar to Debbie Macomber. I highly recommend it.
1,535 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2020
I read and enjoyed a couple of Irene Hannon's other works, "Dangerous Illusions," and its sequel, "Hidden Peril." So, when my mom indicated that this was one of the better ones in a box of books from a friend, I thought I'd try it. This was a pleasant read, but I still prefer the other series for its excitement.

In "Tides of Hope," I enjoyed the kids, their discussions, and interactions, and I enjoyed the beach scenery. This would've been a good summertime read.

The plot lagged a little until the drunks came on board Captain Kate's boat, but it was altogether a pleasant read. A meandering romance.

"... his ego balked at admitting his failures as a father. But his pride was expendable, he reminded himself." I loved this! Pride being expendable. A good reminder.

I also liked that Craig met his daughter's fearful question, "Are you going to die?" with reassurance, but without well-meaning lies. He did not promise her that he would never die, but reassured her that he planned to live a long while. He even mentioned "God decides that" but did so in a gentle way. I don't like it when parents give their kids false reassurances.

In several of these "Love Inspired" books, the plot involved one parents bonding over their kids, and/or one parent not knowing how to parent and the other helping. It just felt too familiar, too commonly overdone, although there may be real-life situations it reflected. I suspect, too, that since romance literature is "wish-fulfillment" literature, then some of the readers wish they had more appreciation and respect for their parenting abilities, and that happened vicariously with Craig leaning on Kate for help and his gratitude. Or maybe the wish fulfillment involves single parents wishing for someone to help them parent. Or both. Maybe that's why the plot device is so common.

I think it would've been better if he'd called his daughter to ask her favorite colors and themes for decorating her room than having Kate do it, though. Girls are into a wide variety of things and not all girls like pink. (I only liked pink in cupcakes - well, okay, and in one shirt from an aunt.) Of course, if he'd asked his daughter, there would've been less interaction between the main characters.

Kate had an outfit she thought was too skimpy that Edith thought she should wear, and I couldn't figure out if she did or not. The "skimpy" outfit was described as a green top with white pants, and she wore a green striped shirt with tan pants. I wasn't sure if that was meant to be the same top or not. Did she give in to Edith or not? In a sense, it didn't really matter to the plot, because Craig did notice her.

One other reviewer wished that Kate had told Edith to butt out, and yes, I agreed. I know she was supposed to be a wiser, older maternal figure, but sometimes I just felt like Kate needed to have a heart-to-heart with her and gently tell her that while her intentions were good, they needed more space to make their own decisions. The example of Edith telling Kate what to wear in the paragraph above was part of that.

While I believe that could've been done gently enough to keep from harming their friendship (or Kate's childcare arrangement,) I wonder if that was part of the wish-fulfillment, too, if some women wish they had someone in their lives like that to take interest in the details of life. There is a balance there somewhere.

It really bothered me that Kate stormed into the coast guard commander's office to balk at being caught not up to the safety code. I could understand if she'd politely asked for an extension or a temporary waiver, and explained her case, but the truth was that she'd violated the code, and her rampage indicated a sense of entitlement that people bend the rules to benefit her.

Then somehow, despite her rage, she was portrayed as a gentle mom... Yes, people can be loving in one scenario and spewing outrage in another, but oftentimes if there's a trigger in one setting, there will be other triggers. It probably would've been more realistic if she'd occasionally lost her temper and shouted at her daughter, too. That's not so pretty to read about, though. And not as charming in a romance.

And, yes, everybody does make mistakes, too...

I wouldn't have left my daughter with a stranger, even for a moment, even if I could see her from the store. Especially not near a parking lot where there could've been a quick escape. Plus, he gave Captain Kate the easy-out, saying he understood if she didn't take him up on the offer since they didn't really know each other. His position of authority didn't mean that he was "safe."

As in the rest of these "Love Inspired" books, although these characters attended church, we don't really know what they believed. Kate believed in a "higher power." Neither mentioned Jesus. They both believed in prayer. With a title such as "Tides of Hope," I wished (hoped, ha-ha) that Ms. Hannon would've talked about hope and the true reasons for hope more - hope in Jesus, which has nothing to do with whether or not one is in a relationship. Yes, a relationship can be a source of happiness. But Jesus is the source of hope. It reminds me of the saying: "Happiness is a mood; joy is a fruit."
2,287 reviews7 followers
May 3, 2020
I've read other Irene Hannon books and liked them, so I had hopes when I chose this book from my stack of books. But what does it say about a book when I read the first page and wonder if I've already read it (I hadn't according to my online shelves)? To me, that means that the author is using a plot that's been done enough times already, that it better really wow me if you want an above average rating--this book did not meet that criteria. There were times I wanted to throw up my hands over the two main characters and tell them to get their acts together!

Yes, I feel bad for both adults that they lost their spouses and for both children for the loss of their parent. Yes, I realize that grief is hard. Not wanting to experience that pain again is real.

I disliked how Craig had dealt with his daughter in his grief up to this point. It seemed he left her care mostly up to relatives or nannies. I can understand how that happened in the midst of grief and depression and blaming himself. I like that he realizes he's done wrong and wants to make it right. I like how he answers his daughter's questions later in the book, especially when she asks him about him dying. I thought he did a good job when they were talking about his wife/her mom and that it made Craig sad when he thought of her and when he mentioned Vicki's hair color being like her mom's I didn't think anything of it. I certainly didn't expect Vicki to try to cut and color her own hair later so her daddy wouldn't be sad.

Kate: I felt like she came off as a bit entitled in the first scene. She just flew into a temper. I don't know boating laws so I don't know if there's a proviso that says flares can be used past their expiration date. She was obviously in the wrong but yet she expects them to bend the rules for her. Instead of asking for what she wanted or inquiring whether there was a way to expunge this from public record, she just flies off the handle. Hardly the person I'd want to hire to take me out on the water if this was the only scene I'd witnessed.

I see another reviewer mentioned Kate leaving her daughter with Craig by the parking lot. It didn't bother me at the time I read it, but now that I reflect on it, Kate really didn't know Craig that well at that point and even though he's a person in uniform, I'm not so sure about that level of trust developing that quickly.

Edith: I like that she is willing to help out with childcare and she seems to do a good job with that. In other areas though, she seems a bit too involved--almost a busybody. She's trying to play matchmaker with Craig and Kate, even going so far as to advise Kate to wear an outfit that she knows Kate really doesn't like. I kind of felt like she interfered at times.
Profile Image for January.
2,891 reviews124 followers
October 26, 2023
Once Upon Nantucket by Irene Hannon
Lighthouse Lane #1
was published in 2009 by Harlequin Love Inspired as Tides of Hope
5h 53m narrated by Thérèse Plummer, 218 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance (not labeled as but has several of the elements), Clean Romance

Featuring: Nantucket, Massachusetts, Coast Guard Officer, Military, Red Haired MC, Boat Captain, Single, Widowers, Friendly Neighbors, Teachers, Asthma, Church, God's Plans, Kissing, Sworn Off Relationships Trope, New Beginnings Trope

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🚢

My thoughts: I'm not buying a lieutenant, I'm assuming O-3, is the commander of the Coast Guard, so after I decided to ignore that, I still found flaws in the story, the asthma was overexaggerated. I couldn't find this listed as Christian Fiction but the only thing it was missing was Bible verses, words of prayer, and sermons, it had everything else. Overall it was a quick enjoyable story if you don't get hung up on the lack of research to bring it into the real world.

Recommend to others: Yes. I'll be reading more, eventually.


Lighthouse Lane
1. Tides of Hope (2009)
aka Once Upon Nantucket
2. The Hero Next Door (2009)
3. Meant For Each Other (2009)
aka The Doctor's Perfect Match
4. A Father for Zach (2010)
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,363 reviews165 followers
June 12, 2023
3.5 stars
"Half an hour ago, he didn't know the woman existed. Yet in the course of one brief conversation, she'd managed to rouse a boatload of emotions in him - most of which were best left undisturbed."

Katherine MacDonald was feisty, Nantucket Coast Guard Lieutenant Craig Cole could certainly credit her with dogged determination . . . . but it was the sudden bolt of attraction that hounded him long after her tirade about a frivolous citation (her opinion, not his) landed on his desk. He could handle the black and white rules of regulations, but a beautiful woman? . . . . . he had better steer that particular ship to a safer harbor. . . . . except that . .

. . . they seemed to keep running into each other. Katherine managed to teach part-time, own and maintain and captain her own charter fishing boat, take good care of her four year old daughter, and who knew what else? Thankfully she was as guarded about personal relationships as Craig . . . or as he was trying to be.

This light, easy-to-read story is as delightful as you would expect it to be!
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,456 reviews
January 23, 2022
Sweet Christian romance featuring a widowed heroine with a 4 year old daughter and a widowed hero with a 4 year old daughter both living on Nantucket Island. The heroine is a part time sea captain on her own fishing boat, and the hero is a full time Coast Guard Lieutenant. Both of them are still battling feelings and heartache from the death of their spouses as well as trying to be good parents to their daughters.

Hannon does such an amazing job of putting together novels with every day characters who deal with every day problems and bring such realism to her romance reads.
1,149 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2023
Kate MacDonald is trying to make a life on Nantucket in her boat and substitute teaching. She must buck up against the new Lieutenant Commander Craig Cole of the Coast Guard. Will she be able to make a life for her and her daughter or will a new man enter her life? Will she be open to a relationship?
Craig Cole is in Nantucket to get a new lease on life with his young daughter. Will he be able to open his heart to his daughter and move past the lose of his wife and son?

I enjoyed this book
Profile Image for Sherrill.
160 reviews
November 26, 2019
Can Love Come a Second Time?

Kate and Craig have both lost the loves of their lives, but they carry on for their young daughters. When the two girls become fast friends, their parents have a hard time keeping their distance and ignoring the spark that draws them to each other. Caught between a deep love for those they've lost and a yearning to love again, they grapple with fear, guilt, and loyalty.
Profile Image for Elley.
31 reviews
July 21, 2022
I loved this book! The only thing I didn’t like was Edith’s character. I had a love/hate relationship with her. I respected her and loved her for being there for Kate and Maddie, but at the same time I didn’t like her being nosy and pushing Kate to get into a relationship with Craig when she still wasn’t sure about everything going on. I loved the ending and the whole book though!

KAIG 4 EVER ❤️
Profile Image for Stella Potts.
516 reviews10 followers
August 7, 2023
A Beautiful Love Story

A beautiful story of love and loss and finding new love and a new life. Kate and Craig have both suffered the loss of their spouse so they let fear hold them back from starting a new relationship. Will they be able to overcome their fears of suffering loss a second time to start a new and fulfilling future. A very enjoyable story of new love and a new relationship on Nantucket.
Profile Image for Beth Westcott.
Author 6 books30 followers
August 16, 2023
Each held captive by their past, charter fishing boat captain Katherine MacDonald and Nantucket Coast Guard Station commander Lieutenant Craig Cole try to ignore the sparks that fly between them. If you like second chance romances involving older characters, I think you'll enjoy reading Once Upon Nantucket. Well-written with wonderful, authentic characters with real life struggles, I rooted for Kate and Carig all the way. I especially enjoyed meeting Kate's daughter Maddie and Craig's daughter Vicki. Faith, family, and friendship are all important elements.
Profile Image for Fly.
306 reviews11 followers
June 25, 2025
Very predictable. Very Christian. Full of glurge. Boring.
The most "romantic" moment was when the heroine, in a spectacular feat of messy eating, manages to get a clam stuck to her face and the hero, rather than being put off by this disgusting sight, wipes clam off her face with his paper napkin. um... ew?
A very short book that still manages to feel long-winded, repetitive, and padded.
Narration was decent.
Profile Image for Anna McFadden.
1,016 reviews8 followers
January 2, 2022
If you ask the feisty single mom Kate MacDonald she will say there was something about singke father Lieutenant Craig Cole, Nantucket's new Coast Guard commander. There first 2 meetings did not go well. But as they have to deal with each other due to their daughter's fast friendship they refuse they have another more in common then being single parents.
723 reviews
August 1, 2023
Love casts out fear and guilt

Kate was a widow with 3 jobs to make ends meet for her and her 4 year old daughter. Craig was the head of the local coast guard and meticulous with safety after the death of his wife and son. Both were attracted to each other but feared another loss, only by trusting God could they move forward.
Profile Image for Jeannette Harbottle.
738 reviews10 followers
August 8, 2023
Choppy seas ahead

When your life and the way you make your living is on the sea, and yet it also is the reason for your greatest fears, a romance with someone who also makes their living on the sea will definitely mean there are choppy seas ahead. The way these issues are resolved make this an interesting read.
886 reviews6 followers
October 26, 2023
This was another grate book by this author, I really enjoyed Craig and Kates Story. Have to admit I was not a fan of kate at tthe start the way she tried to make herself bigger than the rules. She however warmed to me as the story progressed and the two children were cute. I was not a fan of Edith either just butting into everything.
122 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2024
My thoughts: My son is in the Coast Guard so this book interested me. I loved this story of two people who started at odds but ended up getting to know each other and becoming friends. There is a slight faith message, and a clean romance and nice leads to future books in this series. I am a verified buyer and am looking forward to reading the rest. Recommended.
Profile Image for Melmo2610.
3,639 reviews
October 24, 2024
This series has been a backlist TBR for quite awhile. I’m so happy it’s been rereleased with audio to boot so I can finally knock it off the TBR pile. This was such a cute romance. I liked the vibe of the story with two widowers finding happiness again and the most adorable little girls made the romance even more fun. Sweet story.
114 reviews
June 6, 2018
Great love story

Many times when one has fAced the loss of loved ones. It is hard to imagine life and happiness without them. This story does a great job of working through hurt and the rebirth of love.
Profile Image for Sonnetta.
443 reviews
July 4, 2018
An amazing story of trusting God not fear

I love how these characters relationship developed. There were many obstacles to overcome before they could begin a romantic relationship. Readers will love Maddie and Vicki.
Profile Image for Dianne Sidebottom.
1,436 reviews15 followers
July 28, 2018
ebook from the library. Kate and Craig's story with daughters. God shows his humour when we decide a vow for ourselves to live by, then God comes along and changes the scene. Maybe only fiction but God does the real stuff too.
Profile Image for Judy Hardwick.
632 reviews7 followers
October 11, 2020
Great character development

One of the things I like best about Irene Hannon's books is that her characters are not perfect.
They deal with the struggles life brings us and with God's help move forward to the life He has for them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

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