What starts out as light chick lit gains gravitas as it adds characters and plunges beneath the surface of a family in tatters. Mother Eve is recently widowed and mourning the husband who betrayed her and the disappearance of addicted daughter Zoe. Catherine, Zoe's sister, hadsadopted her niece Willow, and her own life is torn apart by her teacher husband's affair with an 18 year old, resulting in pregnancy. There's a LOT going on here! The middle part is a bit slow going, but there's much to like here. It's the type of novel that a reader will look forward to falling into bed or a couch with (bad grammar). And the ending is satisfactory. My only quibble: what is this world where every woman is gorgeous and every man is stunningly attractive? Even the dogs are supermodels. ( )

If you’re lucky, life will hand you a second chance. And if you’re smart, and nimble enough to get out of your own way, you’ll take it. In Chance Harbor, Holly Robinson shows us just how difficult it can be to move beyond entrenched behaviors and attitudes, to see the world afresh and gamble of the golden hope of tomorrow. It might even be impossible.

The characters here have edges, and secrets galore. The mom plays favorites (as did the dad, now deceased). One sister is straight and good, with a cad for a husband. The other, a hot mess, abandoned her daughter with the good sister, and is presumed dead. But none of these folks follow the tropes. Over the course of the story, they evoke our sympathy, as well as our frustration and disappointment. Even the cad. Just a teensy bit.

And that is what makes Chance Harbor ring so true. Robinson’s skillful storytelling, smooth pacing and vivid characters combine to show us that no matter our secrets, misgivings and mistakes, compassion is the most precious human virtue. An engrossing story, with plenty of meat on the bones for hungry book clubs. ( )

Eve, Catherine, Zoe, and Willow. Grandmother, mother, daughters, and granddaughter all caught up in family secrets.
All four women had a lot going on over the years that made today difficult for each one of them.

Join in the suspense as well as the family saga that will pull at your heart strings and make you want to be with the characters.

CHANCE HARBOR takes us through the years with Eve, Catherine, Zoe, and Willow. Willow was my favorite. She is sweet but wise. Zoe made me crazy. Eve and Catherine were characters that held the story together as secrets unraveled and brought the characters closer, made them more understanding, or simply helped them find themselves.

Ms. Robinson has crafted a beautiful story with unforgettable characters and descriptions of Prince Edward Island that have you right there sharing the experiences and pain as well as the little bit of the characters' happiness.

All four women had wonderful stories to tell and secrets to reveal. Secrets both good and bad. I couldn’t decide whose secret I liked the most. :)

I truly enjoyed CHANCE HARBOR, and any women's fiction fan which includes me will fall in love with this book and its characters. The setting as well as the warmth and the vividness of the characters pull you in and keep you turning the pages.

This was my first book by this author even though this isn't her first book.

Ms. Robinson has a way with words that has you not wanting the characters' stories or the book to end.

Absolutely recommend this book. Read it and ENJOY. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review. ( )