Haven Point

A Novel

By: Virginia Hume

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

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:)

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.

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.

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.

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.