Welcome to my blog and my review of a new contemporary romance novel by Liz Johnson: Beyond the Tides. This marks the first story in her Prince Edward Island Shores series, each focusing on a brother in the same family.
When Meg Whitaker’s father decides to sell the family’s lobster-fishing business to her high school nemesis, she sets out to prove she should inherit it instead. Though she’s never had any interest in running the small fleet–or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness–she can’t stand to see Oliver Ross take over. Not when he ruined her dreams for a science scholarship and an Ivy League education ten years ago.
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.
In short, I LOVED Beyond the Tides! Tying together themes of forgiveness, dreams, legacy, and love, this realistic enemies-to-friends-to-romance had me rooting for Meg and Oliver to overcome their grudges and prickliness.
In true Liz Johnson form, a heart-deep story unfolds in a setting as much a part of the story as the characters. I enjoyed returning to a different part of Prince Edward Island armchair-adventure style as I learned more about the culture, tradition, and lobster fishing. What an eye-opening and interesting part that was! I am intrigued and impressed with the real-life determination of that profession.
And as for the friendship and romance, plenty of bitterness and sparks overwhelm Meg and Oliver as they work through their new proximity AND some familial problems of the past and present. I loved how Oliver was understanding and determined to be there for Meg even when she was holding on to the past. And, as Meg realizes some lessons about joy and loss, Oliver’s past comes to light in a way that lends clarity to his motives — especially concerning his behavior as her “high school nemesis”. Their romance is paced perfectly with a few swoony moments in unexpected places (like boat decks!). I didn’t know how much I needed to read about a hero who looks like Adam Driver until Oliver Ross ;). I especially appreciated how the final relational conflict was resolved — it felt natural and realistic.
Other little things I loved: Mama Potts and her pottery, wisdom, and muscle cream; Meg’s dad and their whole dynamic; sunrises on the water; Kyle and his coffee; Oliver’s attractive/strong hands and Meg’s fascination with them; fishing clothes shopping with Meg and Oliver. 🙂 I am ecstatic for the rest of the series and more of the Ross brothers in PEI!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.
The Green Mockingbird 