Title | : | Beyond the Tides (Prince Edward Island Shores, #1) |
Author | : | |
Rating | : | |
ISBN | : | 0800737377 |
ISBN-10 | : | 9780800737375 |
Language | : | English |
Format Type | : | Paperback |
Number of Pages | : | 368 |
Publication | : | First published August 1, 2021 |
Oliver isn't proud of what he did back then. Angry and broken by his father walking out on his family, he lashed out at Meg--an innocent bystander. But owning a respected fishing fleet on Prince Edward Island is the opportunity of a lifetime, and he's not about to walk away just because Meg wants him to.
Meg's father has the perfect solution: Oliver and Meg must work the business together, and at the end of the season, he'll decide who gets it. Along the way, they may discover that their stories are more similar than they thought . . . and their dreams aren't what they expected.
Bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to Prince Edward Island for a brand-new series about family, forgiveness, and the kind of love that heals all wounds.
Beyond the Tides (Prince Edward Island Shores, #1) Reviews
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Another truly enjoyable and delightful book from Liz Johnson! Beyond the Tides is the first book in her new Prince Edward Island Shores series and I can't wait to read other installments in the series.
At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like a book centered on lobster fishing. It certainly didn't sound like a compelling premise for a romance novel. However, I am happy to admit that I was wrong! This is an "enemies to lovers" novel. Meg Whitaker's father has a lobster fishing business, but when Meg's mom gets ill, her dad decides to retire and sell to Oliver Ross, a man that Meg has been angry with for years due to his actions when they were in high school. Although Meg is a teacher and loves her job, she just can't let her father sell to her sworn enemy and decides that she wants to go into the business herself. Her father proposes a deal: the two of them work the boat this season and he will make his choice when it's over. As the two are forced to work together, they learn a great deal about each other and learn that things aren't always as they seem on the surface.
Although this is a romance novel at its core, it's also a story about grief and forgiveness. I really loved this line when Meg goes in to talk with her pastor about the grief she is feeling about her mother's illness. "...sometimes in the midst of the worst pain, it's hard to hear the truth. Sometimes when the pain is too loud, all we can hear is the person crying with us. And that sounds a lot like love."
Beyond the Tides has a gentle faith thread that will uplift readers, and the sweet romance should appeal to anyone looking for heartwarming relationship development. Push past any resistance to the lobster fishing subject matter and you'll find yourself reading an engaging, entertaining book with humor and heart.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. -
Characters: Both Oliver and Meg were realistic, well-developed characters who had flaws to overcome. I enjoyed seeing them both learn to sacrifice for each other and watching Meg get over her grudge toward Oliver.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The main moral of this book was forgiveness. This was shown through Meg’s need to forgive Oliver for ruining her plans a decade before the book started.
Plot: Even though this contemporary romance didn’t contain a villain, I still found it entertaining. Good character development, interesting family relationships, accurate emotions, and well-integrated details of lobster fishing kept this plot moving.
Romance: Clean but a little too described for a non-romantic like me, especially that long kissing scene and the part where Oliver rubbed cream on Meg’s sore shoulders and upper back.
Writing: I really enjoyed Liz Johnson’s writing style. It allowed the story to flow, and I could easily follow what was going on.
Overall: This is probably my favorite Liz Johnson book so far, and I’m looking forward to reading the others in the series. I’d recommend Beyond the Tides to readers who like Christian fiction and contemporary romance. -
This is a fresh story about relationships between family and acquaintances during life changes and challenges. In the quaint fishing village of Victoria on Prince Edward Island, Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross have been estranged since high school when Oliver kicked and destroyed Meg's science project. Why, she never knew but she hasn't been able stand to be around him since. She is teaching high school physics and he is working on her dad Walt's fishing fleet harvesting lobsters. Walt decides to offer to sell the fleet and license to Oliver to spend time with Meg's mom who is very ill. Meg doesn't want the family legacy to go to Oliver so the two begin working together on the boat to compete for the right to it along with deckhand Kyle. When obstacles and sabotage occur, things change as Oliver and Meg work together to find out who is trying to stop them. May be someone who hates Oliver's dad who left town and stole from another boat owner or someone who just hates the Ross family. Or someone else wants the fleet. Maybe they broke an unspoken rule among fisherman. This emotional story revolves around living while alive, dealing with forgiveness, and figuring out what is important in life. There is a twist to who is sabotaging the boat, not to be missed. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from Revell Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only. -
Very well researched and realistic book.
Beautifully emotional,faith filled start to what promises to be an exciting,best selling series.
Our main character, Meg is dealing with an unresolved issue from childhood when this person is suddenly not only thrust into her life again unexpectedly but her father is considering selling the family business to him. Meg and Oliver both try to prove their worthiness to take over the business.
Meg's father is dealing with his own sadness as his wive's illness becomes worse and is draining her.
She is trying to preserve the family legacy by taking over the family lobster business but with her father giving all his time and attention to her mother will she learn to trust and lean on Oliver or will past bad memories hold her back?
Absolutely excellent book just wish I didn't have to wait so long for the next book in the series.
Published August 3rd 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own. -
3.5 so close to 4!
I liked the characters, the setting, and the storyline! All the Canadian words and references were super fun!
There were 2 scenes with romantic/sexual tension that went really close to my line of too much.
One involved...NUMBING CREAM...on a character's back.
The other was a rather detailed make-out.
Otherwise, clean and enjoyable. I'd still recommend it especially if you like small fishing town stories! -
'Winning over Meg Whitaker was his challenge. He didn't need her to like him. He just needed her to stop hating him.'
Liz Johnson begins a new series with this book and if this book is any indication, it's going to be a great series! Meg Whitaker's mother is ill and her dad decides to sell his Prince Edward Island lobster fishing business license. To the one man she cannot abide. The man who hurt her more than any other. The man she has held a grudge against for over ten years.
'Yeah, he knew a thing or two about shields and armor and how they didn't work.'
Oliver Ross has worked for Meg's dad on the fishing boat for many years and jumps at the chance to buy the license. Meg's parents have always believed in Oliver. Oliver's life has not been a pleasant one and he has hidden from others the pain he has endured. Now Meg doesn't want him to have the fishing license. She wants it herself, even though she hates fishing and has motion sickness.
This is a very good book. With a great spiritual theme here about grudges. They hurt. Both the one holding the grudge and the one the grudge is held against. And they never end well. Never. I was hooked here from the first page and and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I've been a fan of Johnson's a long time and each book solidifies my decision to be a fan. I loved Oliver's character so much. I loved Meg's, too, and her parents and other secondary characters, but Oliver's heart was such a wonderful thing. Honestly, the guy is a great book hero. I recommend this one so much.
My thanks to Revell Books for a copy of this book. I was not expected to leave a positive review and the opinion here is expressly my own. -
Delightful story about a lobster boat with an enemies-to-lovers angle. On one hand we have a young man who really wants his chance to become a lobsterman and is hoping to buy the business when Whitaker retires. However, Whitaker has an only child, a daughter who has never expressed interest in the business—until she hears Oliver wants it! Anyone but Oliver!—She’ll take the business and figure out lobstering. Seasickness or not!
Meg is definitely plucky and it’s no surprise to the reader when her father decides to ask the two of them to work together over the season before he makes his final decision. After all, she needs to know about the business and how it works before her father will consent to give it to her.
I really enjoyed the story and the little subplots in the book as well.
18+ for a lot of flirty thoughts. They spend a night alone together on the boat although the third employee could walk in at any time; nothing physical happens. Otherwise nothing objectionable.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. -
4.5 stars 🤩
Such a beautiful story of a proverbs kind of love, enjoying the moments in life that really matter, keeping a family legacy's alive, and a heart after Christ's that goes beyond family ties.
This enemies to lovers Canadian, East Coast romance, will have you bobbing the ocean of feels!
From Liz's first Canadian based book I read to this one, she has really grown as an author. I love how she pulls the reader in with her writing and keeps us there. She did well with incorporating fun little references and nuances that all Canadians can relate to.
The only one that I would say didn't fit was calling the RCMP 'mounties'. But, maybe that's an East Coast thing?! We'll reference to their whole name when on horses but otherwise, we typically stick to their acronym alone.
Though the main female protagonist and the childhood issues of the male protagonist had a lot of growing to do, and it was great to see their character arcs develop.
This is a good summer read, as long as you're not prone to getting sea sick.
Note for those wondering:
This book has one very detailed kissing scene and an intimate moment between the two main characters that pushes boundaries (awkward and bit much). -
I am such a fan of Johnson's. This was a fast fun summer romance. I love it when it works out and everything comes together like its suppose to .
If you love summer beach reads with romance and great characters then this is the book to put in your beach bag.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. -
Review coming soon.
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Liz Johnson has quickly become a favorite author of mine. Her contemporary novels are such delightful stories and Beyond the Tides was no different. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy a story featuring a lobster-fishing business, but it was SO good.
From the opening chapter on, I was hooked and loved seeing the main characters interact. There were deep moments and also humorous ones. I liked how there was an unexpected twist in the story, as well.
All in all, Beyond the Tides was a fantastic read and one I definitely recommend. Such a good summer read!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* -
I really enjoyed this enemies to more story. It was surprising to me, at first, that Meg was so determined to fight for the family business when she never had any desire to run it previously. I knew that she didn’t want Oliver to have it, however, the trouble required to take over the business herself seemed like way more than she would truly be willing to do. Yet, she was determined and I loved seeing the interactions between Oliver and Meg move from frustration to friendship to more.
Meg had a lot to deal with emotionally throughout the entire novel. Surprisingly, Oliver was the one who helped her learn to walk through the grief she was experiencing with her mother’s illness. He also helped her realize how to make the most of her time with her mom.
Oliver was a wonderfully written hero. He had a messy and painful childhood and he carried guilt regarding some other events in the past. But his heart really was one of the biggest around. The care and understanding he showed toward Meg was beautiful. They made a great couple! I am looking to read more of this series in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c... -
Did I start this right before midnight and then stay up until 3am to finish it? Yes yes I did. (Thank the Lord for the long weekend)
This was my first book by Liz, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by her! (Book 2 in this series is going to be good I’m SURE!)
I’ll be honest, I was worried the grudge Meg had at the beginning of the story was going to last for too long. But Meg & Oliver talked - they were cordial with each other, and thankfully they both realized they’d changed since high school!
They both had a LOT of baggage, but that made them both relatable to me! And I loved that they were able to lean on each other and build a relationship.
They were bursting with chemistry! And I was HERE for it!
I was here for all of the kissing scenes, but what made my heart melt was the PURE love that was displayed through their actions when they weren’t locking lips. 😜
I wish Meg had a little bit more of a relationship with God visible on the page, but I loved how Oliver’s first reaction (most of the time 😉) was to turn to prayer!
I really enjoyed it! And I’m glad we picked it up for our book club pick.
4/5 stars -
Story rating 8/10 Christian faith rating 2.5/3
This is a Christian contemporary romance set on Prince Edward Island. I enjoyed the main character's family dynamics and the main romance. I also appreciated the faith content which was prominent whilst not being the main topic of the book. However, I thought some of the decisions they made were not wise for a Christian. The book is clean but the romance was a little too focused on physical attraction for my taste. -
Lovely cover and setting (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
In this enemies to more tale, both main characters need to extend forgiveness. Meg to Oliver for ruining her science fair project ten years prior and Oliver to his father and brother. Sweet story.
I'm intrigued by both of Oliver's brothers and look forward to reading their stories. -
3.5 stars
About the story: Meg Whitaker’s father decides to sell the family’s lobster fishing business to her high school enemy Oliver Ross. She can’t stand to see Oliver take over the family business so her father says they must work together for the season and at the end of the season he will decide who gets the business. Meanwhile, Meg’s mother is sick and they’re not sure exactly what’s wrong. Along the way, Meg and Oliver start developing their relationship as they work together in Meg’s family business. Everything takes off from there.
What I liked:
• I loved the setting in this book – it sounded beautiful. Prince Edward Island on the East Coast.
• The characters in general were easy to connect to.
• The writing was good – I felt like this was an addictive read to get through quick.
• The storyline with the lobster fishing business – loved learning a bit more about how that type of business works.
• I was really interested in the side story with her Mom to figure out what was wrong.
• Every family interaction. I love a good story with family details. You can tell this family is super close and would do anything to help each other. I loved Meg’s Dad too.
• Mama Potts and Kyle were both great side characters.
• This is overall a clean romance and has some faith elements like prayer, mentions of God, forgiveness, and a scripture referenced at the end, but see below for some of the romance details I wasn’t crazy about. I have marked it below for spoilers - so if you haven't read it, basically there are a couple of awkward, cringy romance scenes that I wasn't crazy about.
What I didn’t like:
Also, I listened to the audiobook, but it was SUPER slow, so I had to listen to it on 2 speed to keep up. That’s not really a knock to the story just something to note if you’re interested in the audiobook.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and felt like it could be a Summer Hallmark Movie but just some of the romantic parts were a bit out of place for me and knocked it down a bit. I would still recommend this as a fun summer romance read or a cute beach read, but just for readers to be aware of some of the awkward / heavier romance scenes. I will discuss more on my YouTube channel in a dedicated review video at the end of June since this was a Christian book club pick for this month. -
Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson os an excellent contemporary fiction that is the first book in what I expect will be an amazing series: Prince Edward Island Shores.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was excited to start a new series with her. I have to say I am now a huge fan and look forward to the rest of the books in this series in the future.
The author’s ability to describe this wonderful seaside town and its inhabitants is definitely impressive. The full character cast, their backgrounds, and their interactions were realistic, complex, and easy to follow.
I enjoyed the main characters of Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross. Their inner struggles, their external issues, and their complicated relationship made for an excellent narrative. I enjoyed the way that they were able to eventually confront, work through, and overcome their pasts so that they could find forgiveness and a future.
The fundamental concepts of family, love, loss, friendship, forgiveness, moving on, faith, and acceptance was perfectly addressed. I loved this book and can’t wait to see where this series goes.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Revell for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication. -
Ms. Johnson takes us to beautiful Victoria by the Sea on Prince Edward Island. “The morning sun across the bay had a way of embracing the earth, welcoming the day with a gentle invitation into warmth and light.” She makes me want to take a trip to Prince Edward Island and enjoy the atmosphere.
Meg Whitaker feels the weight of her mother’s illness and her dad’s decision to sell his fishing business. “Be strong—that was her job—carry the weight.” She is prickly in order to shield herself from the pain. She wants to preserve the family legacy by taking over the business but she knows next to nothing about the hard work involved. To make matters worse, the person who sent her dreams crashing years ago is Oliver Ross; the person her dad has chosen take over the business.
Meg and Oliver make a pact to get along for the sake of Meg’s parents. Dad gives them a trial of the next crabbing season, then he will choose who gets the business. They learn to work together and combat obstacles that crop up, getting good advice from Pastor Dell: “Sometimes in the midst of the worst pain, it’s hard to hear the truth. Sometimes when the pain is too loud, all we can hear is the person crying to us. And that sounds a lot like love.”
In the end they find forgiveness: “That’s the thing about forgiveness—it’s a renewable resource.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Library Thing. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* -
Beyond the Tides is the first book in the Prince Edward Island Shores series. I really love the cover! It’s pretty and it portrays the story well. I honestly didn’t care much for the actual story though. I had a hard time getting through this book. I personally didn’t find it very engaging and I really didn’t care for the main characters. Meg kind of annoyed me. I thought 10 years was a long time to hold a grudge against someone.
Oliver was an okay character. It took me a bit to like him and I never fully did like Meg.
I did feel bad for Meg with the whole situation with her mom. That part of the story was pretty sad.
The romance was also a bit much in my opinion. The romantic aspects felt a little out of place since for most of the book Oliver and Meg didn’t get along.
**Thank you Revell for the book in exchange for my honest review -
Beyond The Tides begins a new series by Liz Johnson. She starts it with a swoon worthy hero and a strong heroine determined to keep a legacy alive. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with Oliver. I have to be honest though, I wasn't sure I was gonna be friends with Meg at the very beginning. but she quickly gained my support and I did root her on. There was a bit of a mystery too. However, my favorite part was the tenderness of Oliver and how Meg soon responded to how precious he was. It was a sweet and clean romance. It was perfect in my opinion and I look forward to Eli's story.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion -
A solid and lovely start to this new series featuring the Ross brothers. This first story focuses on Oliver and Meg. who have been enemies since high school. Their history and feud made for a good backstory and gave them a lot to overcome within the pages of the story. Their relationship and working through their past history moved at a realistic pace and made for a good and solid story. Meg is dealing with a lot in the book and Oliver is trying to overcome a lot from his past so they really were perfect for each other which was sweet. I also liked how the author laid the groundwork for the next book in the series which looks to feature Oliver's brother Eli. I am very much looking forward to that book and what is going in Eli's life that brings him back to Prince Edward Island.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. -
This book was a buddy read with friends of mine, and also my first Liz Johnson book. I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. The romance did get a little too cheesy for me (really can't believe I said that, because I love cheese 😄.) But a really cute contemporary romance that is perfect for the summertime.
-
After reading Prince Edward Island Dreams when I was younger and loving the trilogy, I was looking forward to another book by Liz Johnson. However, I may have set my expectations just a little too high. Despite some reasons for docking the star rating... this book was a light, fun, and a charming story about leaving the past in the past and savoring each moment as if it were your last.
On a side note: I thought it was super cute that the author dedicated the book to her father. Meg's father in the book played an important roll and he may have been one of my favorite characters in this book. So naturally, I thought it was sweet for the author to dedicate the book to her dad.
Okay, back to the review. The setting was fun, I love learning about new places and lobster fishing was a career I'd never read about in fiction before! I also really like the cover (all the blue!!!) Basically, this book felt like I was watching a Hallmark... this is a good thing and a bad thing. For contemporary fiction, I find it's hard to pull in the deep themes and descriptive writing style that I'm drawn to in historical fiction. That being said, this book had a good message but I just couldn't get into it very well. I think it's one of those books that would be great for a beach vacation, something to read when you're in the mood for a lighter story.
Meg Whitaker. From the very first chapter, she wasn't my cup of tea. It's hard when you can't relate with the main characters and there was something about Meg that had me shaking my head. I wish her character would have grown towards the end. Her behavior was immature and her stubbornness made her come across as less intelligent than she was. I did appreciate it when she took some time to spend with her mom and that was sweet. As a reader, I could see she really wanted to do the right thing, but she got hung up on the slightest details and a silly high school dramafied past that she easily missed what really mattered (and what was right in front of her!)
Oliver Ross. I really wanted to like this guy. His story had a lot more depth to it and I was interested to see how things turned out for his family. Also, middle kids unite! However, the more I saw how he carried himself, the more he lost my respect. Their romance was over the top and eye roll worthy at moments (hehe, back to the Hallmark vibe). It was just annoying to be honest.
Side Characters. I liked the side characters in this book way more than the main characters! I loved how quirky Kyle was and how wise Meg's dad was. I also thought Mama Potts needed more of a spotlight cause her character rocked! And Violet was also a sweet character (that teaser chapter at the back got me excited about her own book!)
Final thoughts: Other than the fact that the characters rubbed me the wrong way, and the plot was almost nonexistent, I did find this book to be a fun summer-y read and I could almost feel the salt water and hear the seagulls! I'd recommend this book if you are the type of reader to enjoy a contemporary romance with a fun tourist setting.
*All thoughts are my own. Thank you Revell Reads for a complementary copy! -
Title: Beyond the Tides (Prince Edward Island Shores #1)
Author: Liz Johnson
Pages: 336
Year: 2021
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Beyond the Tides tells a powerful tale where the main character Meg Whitaker’s life is about to take an abrupt turn. Meg has been teaching students and enjoying it on the island but now her father has made the decision to sell his fishing business to spend more time with his wife, who is in declining health. Meg, to this point, has no desire to take over the lobster fishing business partly because being on the water makes her ill. However, when she learns who he is selling the business to, Meg doesn’t want the family business to go Oliver. Meg and Oliver have a past that is littered with pain and unforgiveness. When her dad has them work together before he makes the final decision as to who to sell to, Meg and Oliver once again become competitors.
As I read the story, I was captivated by how the small community came together to support the family. There is also the aspect of the tightness of the fishing community and the written as well as unwritten rules regarding the fishing trade. Oliver’s family has been through the mill with a family history of pain and brokenness that we just get a small sampling of in this tale. While the story focuses on Meg and Oliver, Oliver has two other brothers and I get the sense that their stories may be told soon. By the end of the novel, I was encouraged by the themes of faith, redemption, forgiveness and hope that come across in the story. When you’re done reading the book, look for and enjoy Liz Johnson’s earlier stories as they are as intriguing as Beyond the Tides!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility -
But we're promised storms in this life. We're also promised that our hope in God is an anchor in those storms. He'll hold us steady even in the wind and the waves.
When I saw this cover - so stunning - it pulled me to this book which I probably would have only read in a few years. I'm so glad this cover introduced me to a story with a beautiful setting, hurting characters and families with lots of stories to still be told.
Oliver Ross is probably one of my favourite male characters this year. He had this inner strength from past troubles, but also still an adventurous, full of life spirit. His struggles to create a new legacy for him and his family was realistic and I hope to see more of him and reconciliations with members of his family.
Meg Whitaker was stubborn, a bit on the selfish side and definitely in avoidance mode with her mom's health. She had a lot of growth as she learned about the fishing industry. The lesson she learned about forgiveness and holding grudges was just again a reminder that it always better to let things go.
There was serious moments, a bit of lighter moments and some fun kissing scenes (probably not for everyone).
I was surprised at one person's involvement with something, because until then, they seemed impartial and only provided gentle guidance.
That's the thing about forgiveness - it's a renewable resource. The act of giving it fills you up to give it again. The more you practice forgiveness, the more you have to give.
Looking forward to Eli's story next!
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. expressed are my own.* -
"That's the thing about forgiveness - it's a renewable resource. The act of giving it fills you up to give it again. The more you practice forgiveness, the more you have to give."
Liz Johnson's contemporary romance books are a must-read for me and this book, her newest, showcases exactly why. From the opening chapter, the characters and the plot are captivating and the plot has a nice smooth flow with easy-to-read writing. There is great humor peppered throughout the book that you won't be able to help the wide grins and occasional laugh-out-loud moments. There is plenty of heartache and grief seen through Meg and her father as they care for a rapidly deteriorating loved one. Oliver has a difficult, painful, and shameful past to overcome but his gentle, tender, hard-working humility shows what God can do when we put ourselves at His feet. How brokenness can become redeemed and forgiveness can conquer fear really struck home through this book. And I learned quite a bit about lobstering in the beautiful Prince Edward Island. I can't wait for the next two books where we'll get to know Oliver's brothers better!
I received the book from Baker Publishing Group via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own. -
In order to stop her father from selling the family business to her high school nemesis, Meg Whitaker decides to give it all up to learn the ropes working alongside the man who cost her her dreams.
Set on the beautiful shores of Prince Edward Island, Meg and Oliver are fighting for the highly coveted lobster fishing license that has been in Meg's family for decades. But fighting for the same thing also mean working together, I liked the way that Oliver and Meg came to depend on each other, as well as how we get a deeper insight into Oliver's home life growing up. Oliver is a good man with a strong moral compass, and I admired his faith in letting go when he wanted most to hold on.
Overall, an engaging read, with great emotional depth and well built characters that were easy to root for throughout. I really liked how this book doesn't shy away from digging into topics of faith, and I loved the progression of Oliver and Meg's friendship. Meg's father is a wonderful man, and I loved his imparted wisdom, as well as his love for Meg's mother. Excellent read from beginning to end!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
Absolutely delighted by the first novel in what promises to be another stellar series by Liz Johnson. This may be my favorite book written by the author to-date. It is an incredible story of the pain that comes with grief and loss that is triumphed by one of family, love and forgiveness.
With a history of unresolved conflict, Oliver and Meg are thrown together to work the Whitaker fishing business for a season. Each is determined to prove their individual worthiness to take over the business at the end of lobster season. However, they need to learn to work together as a team. Can their growing attraction survive the struggles from both within as well as outside the business?
I loved the overarching theme of legacy, the one we inherit as well as the one we are forging. While this is definitely a romance, it is also a strong story of family, those we are born into as well as those we choose. Looking forward to reading Eli's story in the next novel in the series.
I received an advanced review copy from the author/publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a review and the opinions expressed here are my own. -
I really enjoyed this book not only because it was set in one of my favorite locations, Prince Edward Island, but the storyline itself was lovely. Liz Johnson really captures the essence of the fishing industry in Prince Edward Island and made you feel like you were part of the community there. The characters were truly believable and relatable. I really enjoyed that the characters were both flawed and were not your typical hero and heroine.
Although this story is a romance, for me it was more about forgiveness, dealing with grief and acceptance. Both Oliver and Meg have hurts from the past that they must come to forgive each other in order to have a future. I definitely had to have my tissues nearby as I got teary a few times while reading.
The author does a great job at weaving a subtle faith element throughout the story. If you enjoy Christian Contemporary Romances this one will not disappoint. I now have to patiently wait for the next in the series and hopefully see a glimpse of these characters once more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher Revell. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion