Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble - Reviewed

About the Book:
Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.
But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.
Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

My Thoughts:

Tidewater Inn is a very complex novel.  I mean that in the most flattering way!  Colleen Coble includes elements of family, friendship, suspense, mystery, and many shades of human emotion that really delve deep within the human heart.  She deals with spiritual struggles that many broken families have to deal with over a lifetime. She deals with the emotions of hope and loyalty that cling to our hearts despite what circumstances speak to us.  In short, it’s almost impossible to succinctly say what this story speaks to me. It is a very  well-written story of Libby Holladay’s journey of discovery amid very trying situations that just take over her life suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Libby is a new believer who discovers that her past holds many secrets that shed light and mystery on her present circumstances.  When her friend is kidnapped right before her eyes, her life sort of spins out of control for some time.  The action in the story steadily climbs with a series of unexplained situations that leaves the reader with their mouth agape and their minds reeling.  You come to love the eclectic group of islanders on the Outer Banks, as Libby does, and you will struggle and grow along with Libby on her journey.

What kind of story is this?  Mystery?  Romance? Suspense? Issue-driven contemporary novel?  In my opinion, it is all of the above!  Everyone will find something to love when they visit Tidewater Inn! 

About the Author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.