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.
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Wow! When I started reading this book, I didn’t realize it was third in a series so I had a bit of a challenge to figure out the who’s who but once I did, I was hooked! There are many layers to this story and its characters that are beautifully revealed throughout the whole book. A tome it is not, so the few hours it took to read it sped by. Yes, I read it in one sitting! Liz Johnson is a new-to-me author and I can assure you I will be looking for her books from now on. She writes realistic scenarios making it easily relatable. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a firm Christian foundation, this is a book you should read.
This book was oh-so-angsty and I loved it! Natalie is in some serious denial through most of the book which frustrated me, but in a good way- I was totally consumed by the need for her to open her eyes and see how much better the alternate path would be. I loved seeing her process all the hard stuff as she reconciled with Justin and realized how much their separation devastated him too. Renewing her friendship with him also woke up a dormant part of her personality that she had suppressed, and it was interesting to see the clash between the submissive fiancé Russell knows versus the vibrant, funny, passionate woman Justin sees. I loved reading from Justin’s perspective and how deep his feeling run, even though he attempts to be the strong and silent type. The amazing setting of the island and the Red Door Inn was a huge part of the book and I loved that the characters from the previous books played important roles in this book as well. One of my favorite scenes was the “kitchen party” where Justin and other musicians came together to play and we see how he puts his feelings about Natalie into his songs. A wonderful conclusion to the series and I highly recommend reading them all!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Another great contemporary romance written by Liz Johnson. This is the third installment of Prince Edward Island Dreams series but can totally be read as a stand-alone. Actually all three books can be read as stand-alones, though reading Where Two Hearts Meet (book 2) prior to this book will give a nice background story to Caden and Adam. Adam is Russell’s brother and a big reason why Russell and Natalie come to PEI for their wedding.
The setting of Prince Edward Island is beautiful. I’ve never been to the area but felt totally transported to this world of beauty and majesty through the book. Ms. Johnson’s writing, as always, is smooth, flawless, and delicious, like a good piece of milk chocolate. There is a good dose of humor in the book, especially in the dialogue between Justin and Natalie.
Just a warning to y’all who don’t like love triangles – there is one here. I have to state this disclaimer: I really dislike love triangles, especially when there is an engagement involved between the couple and a third person is thrown into the mix. My dislike of this particular plot premise in no way affected my love for this book because the book is THAT good.
Natalie is a broken woman with a past that she clings to so tightly. She left PEI and reinvented herself in Nashville but returns to PEI, on fiancé Russell’s insistence, to have their wedding on the island. She’s so insecure in who she is that she’s not even sure who she is anymore.
Russell is a top-notch record producer in Nashville who is busy getting his artists’ records to top the charts that he barely has room for anything else in his life. Of course, I felt drawn to Russell simply because he is Adam’s brother.
And then there is Justin. A broody, scowl-y, loyal to the core dairy farmer who once had a dream of making it big as a singer. Sure, he still writes songs and performs in the little town but never got over the pain Natalie caused him so many years ago. But he is totally a swoon-worthy hero once we see the tough outer layer peeled back.
The road to forgiveness is hard for everyone, especially for Natalie. The theme of true forgiveness, repentance, and redemption is so clear throughout the book. The redemption we have only through Jesus is underscored in the thoughts and words of several of the characters in the story.
Anyone who enjoys a well-written, thought-provoking, soul-stirring contemporary Christian romance will appreciate this book. I totally recommend all three books in this series.
I received an ARC of the book from Revell via NetGalley. I was not required to write a review or a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I so enjoyed coming back to Prince Edward Island and visiting the Red Door Inn again. The descriptions of this place make me want to pack a suitcase and go on a vacation to those gentle shores. I particularly loved that a lighthouse played such a big role in the story. Full review is at my website.
Always a treat to read a Liz Johnson novel.
I am glad to have finally continued on with Johnson’s series. I read the second book first a few years ago, and finally got around to the first book and this book this year. Johnson’s writing has a unique, compelling quality about it that I’ve come to enjoy. It flows so well and easily keeps my attention. Once again, I was captivated by the setting of Prince Edward Island and loved the small town feel of the story. Of course, when everyone knows everyone, it’s hard to live your past down, and no one knows this more than Natalie O’Ryan. Natalie is back on PEI for her wedding, drawn back against her will by a fiance who thinks he’s secured the wedding spot of her dreams. However, Russell doesn’t know the true Natalie, and that’s the way she likes it. Safe and secure, away from the ugliness of her past. Her former best friend, Justin, knows Natalie well, and when he is roped into helping with her wedding, their reunion is not a happy one. However, memories are hard to forget, and those who loved Natalie always hoped she would return home.
I truly think this is a case of “it’s me, not you,”since one key part of the story is just not my favorite. It’s a personal preference more than anything else. I really like to root for couples, and while both characters are wonderful, I just couldn’t root for them as a couple. So I admit the romance fell a bit flat for me. However, I was captivated by Natalie’s personal growth and her overcoming of tragic childhood circumstances, as well as the strong theme of reconciliation and forgiveness. It was also lovely to see Marie and Caden, who were lead characters in the first two books. Though book two remains my favorite, I did enjoy all of the books in the series. I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance, who also enjoy stories of overcoming past traumas and personal growth.