Saturday, May 31, 2025

On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Revell
Released: July 1, 2017
327 pages

About the Book:

Fifteen years after she left Prince Edward Island, Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return. But when her fiancé, music producer Russell Jacobs, books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to put the finishing touches on the perfect wedding. But she can't possibly prepare for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.
 
Justin's never forgotten Natalie or the music career he always dreamed of pursuing. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until his dad died and he was left to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.
 
After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin discover the groundwork for forgiveness--and that there may be more than an old friendship between them.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

This is the final book in the PEI Dreams series, and while I really enjoyed the first two books, I struggled with the storyline in this one. I appreciated the message of forgiveness that was presented, but I was pretty sure one guy was going to be left for another one, and this really bothered me. It took me over half of the book to begin to understand Natalie and her motives. It was at this point that I finally began to feel the emotions of the story.

Natalie left the island 15 years ago with no plans to ever return, but her fiancé Russell plans a destination wedding for them on the island, not knowing her feelings about this. Now she is back planning the wedding and events have her interacting with the one person on the island she felt most betrayed by. Natalie will learn that offering forgiveness will set her free from the bitterness inside her; she will also finally find a love she never imagined.

I enjoyed spending time with characters we already knew as well as meeting some new ones. There were definitely some characters I was drawn to more than others. I felt Natalie did not treat Russell fairly. She agreed to marry him but was not honest with him and knew that he didn’t really know her; she hid her true self from him. I couldn’t understand why the women who knew what Natalie was going through growing up didn’t do more to help her back then. Why didn’t they fight for her more than they did? Justin had me feeling for what he was going through, and I was pleased with the way he handled his feelings. Unlike Marie’s father, Natalie’s father is seeking her forgiveness, and he is the one who is able to get Natalie to make the changes she needs to. It was heartwarming to see him making the effort.

I loved that an epilogue was added that gave updates on the main characters from the previous two books.

Favourite Quote: 
“Forgiveness isn't reserved for the ones who deserve it. God gives freely, and we should do the same.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 
 

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Friday, May 30, 2025

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Revell
Released: October 1, 2016
358 pages

About the Book:

In her kitchen at the Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen--and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful.

Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in love with the island's red shores and Caden's sweets.

When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chances for survival--it might also break her heart.





My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book two takes us back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island, this time the story focuses on Caden, the chef at the inn. I liked Caden from the first book and couldn’t wait to get to know her even more. I was surprised at just how insecure she was. We did see a bit of this side of her in the first book - when Marie offered her the job at the inn she responded by asking if Marie was sure and that there had to be someone more qualified for the position.

Adam arrives at the inn on a forced vacation and quickly makes his way into Caden’s kitchen. I found the banter between Caden & Adam enjoyable and his obvious love for her sweets was fun. I liked how he was intentional in showing Caden that he liked her for who she was and that he kept his distance from Bethany, who treated Caden like she was beneath her. I absolutely loved the meddling of Aretha and Esther, the scene with them talking about Caden’s love life as if she wasn’t standing right there was hilarious, but sure was awkward if you were Caden.

So many of the misunderstandings could have been avoided if the characters had just expressed their thoughts with one another right away. However I did appreciate that Adam and Caden were able to resolve their arguments quickly rather than letting things build.

Adam is plagued with regret and guilt and learns how to deal with these feelings, enabling him to embrace a future filled with grace. Caden really struggled with self-confidence at the beginning, but by the end she has grown and has gained confidence in her abilities without being annoying. I was really drawn both of them and was pleased with the way things worked out.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

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Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky by Andrea Boeshaar

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Summerside Press
Released: June 3, 2008
337 pages
About the Book:

Anything can happen when you live in a place called Miracle. Meg Jorgenson wants a fresh start, miles away from the city and a failed relationship. She takes a teaching position in the tiny town of Miracle, Kentucky, and vows to steer clear of smooth-talking men. Before long, Meg is smitten, but its eight-year-old Cammy Bayer who wins her heart. The young girl has spent much of her life in a wheelchair but firmly believes that God will heal her someday. Cammy's widowed father, Vance, has devoted his life to caring for his young daughter, and he is delighted by the attention she receives from her new teacher. But will Meg and Vance see eye-to-eye when it comes to an experimental procedure that might grant Cammy the use of her legs? Will they open their minds to the miracle of healing and their hearts to the miracle of love?






My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


This is a sweet story of Meg reconnecting with family, finding God, and discovering love. There were some bumps along the way ends on a positive note. I did enjoy the character interactions, particularly Meg and her grandmother, and Meg and young Cammy. I was rooting for the romance, but the timeline felt too quick based on the fact that a widow and a child were involved.

Favourite Quote: 
“True love, joy and peace aren't derived from people or accomplishments. They come from having a relationship with God.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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Friday, May 2, 2025

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Releases: June 10, 2025
368 pages
About the Book:

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


I enjoyed getting to know these characters and was rooting for them to find love and belonging. I quickly became invested in Sara and Evie and the situations they were dealing with. Some hard moments are detailed with child disciple. It did take me a while to connect with James but as his attitude changed over the course of the story the more he grew on me. I loved how he stuck up for those around him and fought for what he believed was right no matter the pressure from others. I really enjoyed the two children, Evie had opinions and wasn't afraid to express them and was brave enough to confront some of adults around her. Henry was a street smart child who seemed to be around just when he was needed, I loved him. In addition to the personal situations of the characters there is also a political thread to the story with fighting for land rights being a main topic. This story encompasses a marriage of convenience, distinctions between classes, fighting for justice, reconciliation of family, and found family.

(I received an ARC of this book from Revell through NetGalley; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)
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