You can never escape your past and sometimes you shouldn’t try!

Natalie O’Ryan left home years ago with plans never to return. So, imagine her surprise when her fiancée suggest that they hold their wedding in her hometown in PEI rather than in Nashville. Natalie feels that he is trying to do it for her benefit, so she agrees, mainly because she doesn’t want to argue about it. Soon after returning home, people can’t believe she is back. None more so than her childhood best friend Justin Kane. Natalie and Justin had a pact that they would always leave the island together. The night they were to leave was right after Justin’s father died and he had to stay behind to help his mom with his siblings. Both feel betrayed by the other, Justin because Natalie left and Natalie because Justin never came after her. But when her fiancée has to go back to Nashville unexpectedly and leaves Justin to help Natalie finish planning out the wedding, will they be able to reconcile their differences?

Another story that could only happen at the Red Door Inn. Throughout the book, I had a really good idea of what the final outcome was going to be, but just not sure how it was going to get there. Johnson included a few twists to keep the reader moving through the pages and caused a few surprises along the way. The story centered on personal growth for both Natalie and Justin. Both had to learn to find how to forgive and when they did, they were able to find grace along the way as well. More than just a love story, this book really put people in difficult situations and had plenty of conflict. I couldn’t help feel bad for Justin throughout much of the book. And then when you learn the truth about Natalie, it really makes her back story that much more real.

If you have loved the series this far, you would be disappointed. If you haven’t started, get to it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Because many of the books I read are e-galleys, I don't often see the covers or synopsis before I read the books on my list. On Love's Gentle Shore gave me the impression that it might be an historical novel, and I wanted a change of pace. I finally settled down to read the book, and, boy, was I surprised.

This is the third novel in the Prince Edward Islands Dreams series, and while the novels have some of the same characters, it will stand alone pretty well by itself.

Natalie O'Ryan is returning to Prince Edward Island to get married. It wasn't her idea, nor her desire to marry in her home town. It held very few happy memories for her and lots of bitter ones where she was the object of all the town gossip.

Now she's having to plan her own wedding alone, because her fiance is called out of town for some kind of business emergency. Her only port in this particular storm is the only friend she ever had as a child growing up--Justin Kane.

Liz Johnson writes with incredible skill and her novels are so compelling and engaging they are extremely hard to put down. If it weren't for the fact that my dog wakes me up around 5:00 AM every morning, I'd stay up late reading her books. I really can't wait until her next one comes out.

This is a five-star, two thumbs up book, and a lighthouse to hide letters in.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book

"On Love's Gentle Shores" (Prince Edward Island novel book 3) by Liz Johnson

What an enjoyable novel. The choice of the main character, Justin Kane, was a wonderful surprise. The depth of his character was so well written. The reader could follow and feel
his every emotion. The life of Natalie O'Neill has never been easy, particularly as a child. But what she learns during her return to PEI as she is planning her wedding, and meets many from her past, is that all that she perceived as a child may not had been as accurate as she believed. Except that of her relationship with her best friend, Justin. That was honest
and true.

As she is planning her wedding with a hotshot music producer from Nashville, where she has lived for 15 years, she comes to many conclusions on her own, via Justin, and via a long lost individual she thought and hoped she would never see again.

While I found parts of the beginning somewhat slow, the novel quickly picked up and from there was truly engaging.

The author wrote this novel with crispness and a great deal of detail without too much backstory, which led to its relatability amd honesty. Yet, on the end as I examine all the novels, I would say her second novel in this series, "Where Two Hearts Meet," is probably the best of the three books series. But honestly, none of them should be missed as they all have special traits and lessons within them all and are great reads.

Rating: 4.6
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own

This is the third book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series and I have loved them all. This is a wonderful romance. Natalie and Justin are great characters. Planning weddings is very stressful. Will Natalie be able to stay on an island that she hated when she was growing up. Can Justin handle being around Natalie who he loved when they were young. I love how this book ends. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is the third book in the Red Door series and is quite enjoyable. I first of all love the island and feel like I am there when reading the book. I liked how in this book, Natalie had to face her past and work out things with Justin. They both has some healing to do and by coming back to the island, they were able to face these issues.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, the review is entirely my own

On Love's Gentle Shore is a stirring love story. It also teaches you how to trust. It is a ball of fun yet as serious as a heart - just a heart - she puts her heart on the line - so does he, ain't love grand? It pulls at your heartstrings and it makes that heart jump for joy. Natalie came back to town to confront her past and make the final wedding arrangements - the author does this so skillfully, because she makes you invested into the characters and what happens to them. Natalie has to face her past but she doesn't do it alone she does it with Justin who she use to always count on and now she will continue to, but the heart started doing strange things when they started to work with her past, and other massive things. You will love this book - you can't help but be a part of you and you can't hate you - lol

While I didn't pick this series up right away, the rave reviews and the appearance of an auburn-haired lady (and bold green accents) on the cover of the final book expelled all my "too good to be true" hesitations.

With her fiery hair and simmering temper, Natalie O'Ryan's character gives a deft nod to our beloved Anne yet she is an independently endearing heroine in her own right. My heart ached for Natalie as her backstory was revealed throughout the book.

While the Prince Edward Island Dreams series is a great read for all fans of Christian contemporary fiction, it is an extra special adventure for those of us who love Anne, Gilbert, and their island home. I highly recommend this entire series! Once you experience one story, reader friends, you will want to read them all!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

"On Love's Gentle Shore," is the last book in Liz Johnson's Prince Edward Island Dreams series and it is another wonderful story.  Seriously, I am so sad to see this series end, but cannot wait to read what Liz writes next!  Natalie has never planned to return to her hometown, but that all changes when her fiancé arranges for her wedding to be there and books the Red Door Inn for the guests.  Marie and Seth are new to the town, and they do not know Natalie, but everyone else does and her childhood.  Also, there on the Island is Justin, who has never forgotten Natalie and his heart has seemingly not forgotten her either.  When there's a sudden change in plans and Natalie is forced to work closely with Justin to help ready for her upcoming wedding, her heart may be in for a change as well as well as moving on from her past.



 I absolutely loved this book!  Liz Johnson won me over with this series, and has become a must-read author for me.  I love how this area just came to life for me, it sounds amazing and I felt as if I was a guest at the Red Door Inn and a friend with Aretha Franklin (no relation to the singer).  The characters are all so easy to love and enjoyable to read about in each book as well as meeting new ones.  The romance is woven into the storyline with the characters having to work through issues in their lives and issues from the past making them completely believable and inspiring.  I highly recommend this book and this entire series, be sure to start with book #1!

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 thought really bothered me. It look 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 getting glimpses of 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.

The first thing that attracted me to On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson was the fact that it takes place on Prince Edward Island in Canada. As a Canadian celebrating our 150th anniversary I wanted to dip into something set in this great country and I was not disappointed.

While I did feel a little lost at first (this is the third book in the series), enough facts were filled in that I was able to understand the backstory of our two main characters Natalie and Justin. But, I liked the story so much that now I feel compelled to read the first two. A good sign!

In this book Natalie is returning to North Rustico to get married and she is dreading meeting everyone from her past. She puts up a brave front and a very high wall so that the people who hurt her in the past would not be able to again. Fortunately, her wall starts to crumble and as it does she finds out some truths about her past that she didn't know and she finally begins to grow into the Natalie she was created to be.

A great story, but I would advise starting the series with the first book as I'm sure it will have more impact.

​Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

On Love's Gentel Shore (Prince Edward Island Dreams #3) is the third book in the series by Liz Johnson. I don't read many contemporary books, I am more of a historical reader but I will be reading more by this author!
This is my first experience with this author and I am so glad I decided to give her a try!
Ahhhh. the description she gave of Prince Edward Island, I'm on the next plane there :)
I have books one and two in this series and though I may be reading the series out of order I definitely will be reading them!
Because her fiancee, Russel books a summer stay at the Red Door Inn and makes plans to have their wedding on the island on PEI, Natalie O'Ryan is forced to return to her hometown and the many memories she would rather leave in the past. Her family, while it lasted was fodder for the rumor mill and she hung her head in shame as a teenager. The last thing she wants to do is return and have the talk start up again. She is in love with the idea of being in love but not with her fiancee. She sees him as a way to stay off the island she made her escape from 15 years ago when she was 17. He has no idea of her past or of the abuse and neglect she went through. Upon returning to the island she runs into her former best friend,Justin. They stuck together like glue, through thick and thin. He knows the real her and all she has been through.He has respect for her but he is upset she left without a word to him all those years ago. After she returns to the island he is so mad at her for leaving and hurt too. They develop feelings for each other even though she is engaged to Russel. They both do their best to not act on these feelings. Russel doesn't know the real her and she can't keep up this facade anymore. Such a sweet story of redemption and strong tones of forgiveness. Very enjoyable read!
Pub Date 04 Jul 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This a good Christian Romance book about running from your past, family infidelities, gossip,embarrassment and finally forgiveness,courage,hope, love and redemption. Natalie O'Ryan has return to scenic Prince Edward Island for her wedding to a music producer. And Justin Kane hometown gem was Natalie's best friend still is the good guy she left behind 15 years ago. Can you go home again and do second chances really happen? My grade of this book is A plus.

Nice conclusion to a good series...although I admit I will miss PEI and these characters. Revell, you sure you don't want to publish more? Please?
Justin is a complete sweetheart and all around grounded and stable man. The kind that will catch his girl whenever she falls...and isn't that something to swoon over!
Natalie has had a hard life and so I get her...but getting her doesn't stop me from wanting to slap some sense into her, if you know what I mean.
Strong message of forgiveness within these pages. A message everyone can relate to.

ON LOVE'S GENTLE SHORE is the third book in Ms. Johnson's Prince Edward Island Dream series, but it easily stands alone. Natalie is a very hurt character, full of broken dreams, broken promises and convinced that no one cares. She even believes she has to be someone she's not in order to be loved.

When her music city record recording boyfriend wants to get married on Prince Edward Island, Natalie is horrified. They're all gonna laugh at her! But rather than tell him the truth that she'd really rather marry in Nashville, she keeps her mouth shut.

Justin has loved Natalie like forever, and she's been the person behind every song he's ever written. He gave up his dream of a hit record when Natalie left and his dad died, but now she's back. Playing at her wedding might mean his dreams are within reach again, but at what cost?

I think we've all known characters like this -- they are real. I could be the girl that everyone whispered about behind my back and facing the same fears and insecurities. For pities sake, I'm a pastor's wife. Heaven knows we can't be real! Too many people are out to stab you in the back when you're not looking. Or I might be like Justin, doing the one thing that hurts the must in order to achieve the dream I hold most dear. Yep, these characters are definitely real, engaging and heart-rending. I wanted to pull Natalie in my arms and tell her it's not really all that bad. Hold your head up and don't imagine your seeing things that might not really be there. Or Justin. Is it really worth all it will cost? Think about it.

If you like romance and/or PEI you'll definitely want to read ON LOVE'S GENTLE SHORE and the other two books in this series, The Red Door Inn and Where Two Hearts Meet. The stories are all stand alone and yet they all tie together. I hope Ms. Johnson will write more books in this series.

I received a copy of this book free. All opinions are my own.

When her fiancé books their wedding in her hometown on Prince Edward Island, Natalie O'Ryan finds herself spending the summer surrounded by memories she had never intended to revisit. Not only facing the questions and gossip of townspeople she ran away from, Natalie also has to work alongside the best friend of her childhood. A friend she abandoned to start a new life in Nashville.

Justin Kane still feels betrayed by Natalie's departure, and has never forgotten her or their shared dreams of a music career. While running a successful dairy after his father's death, and playing with a local band on occasion, Justin thinks of his life as fulfilling and complete. When Natalie returns and brings their childhood memories crashing back, Justin begins to realize that he never did fully recover from her hasty departure. Will either one of them be able to address the wounds of their pasts and move on? Are their lives so different after 15 years that they can even be friends?

Liz Johnson tells a beautifully sweet love story in On Love's Gentle Shore. I adored exploring Natalie's past, and how her perceptions of it had shaped her choices. Brooding but kind, Justin was an equally compelling and entertaining romantic lead. The rumors and gossip swirling around the small-town setting in addition to the excellently written lead characters made for a novel I could barely put down. While I loved getting to see a bit more of Caden from Where Two Hearts Meet, I hated that Adam wasn't around much! I enjoyed this installment every bit as much as its predecessor, and can't wait for more!

The third book in Johnson's Prince Edward Island series takes off from the very first page. If you've come across this series and picked it up based on an 'Anne with a E' passion for the Island, this will not disappoint. These books are classy and unhurried.

Each story that I read in this series, makes me want to pack my bags and book a flight immediately. Is there really an Inn with the appeal of the Red Door? I sure hope so, this setting oozes charm and small (extremely small) town familiarity. Set in North Rustico, which Natalie refers to as the 'Crick' (I wasn't quite sure what that was), the everyone knows everyone, and then all your business too, hasn't worked out quite so well for Natalie O'Ryan. Daughter of the Island philanderer and town drunk, a mother who neglected and abused her - getting far far away at 17 was all she ever dreamed of. Subject to constant gossip, she was one girl who didn't feel like sh had one good thing in her life. Except Justin Kane. A chance childhood meeting in a lighthouse on Kane land, their friendship blossomed. With a pact to leave together, it all came to a crashing end on the sudden death of Justin's father & a nasty accusation. Not looking back and vowing to never return Natalie packed a bag and ran. Thinking Justin would come find her, but never did she felt abandoned by the last person she had. 15 years later and our story begins. She's back on PEI again with a fiancé in tow, with a wedding to organize. With the help of Marie, of the Red Door Inn, we return to our beloved characters of the first two books, and a chance meeting in O'Gradys. She's back and Justin doesn't know what's hit him.

I literally couldn't put this book down. This might be my favourite of the 3 so far, and I loved the first two. I felt every tender emotion. Every tug at the heartstrings. The history they had shared together, meant it was inevitable Natalie & Justin would need to find some kind of resolution. There isn't a heavy dose of inspirational dialogue, which I think worked really well in this case. Sometimes it can overpower the storyline, and when you have a character as deeply troubled as Natalie, her healing process needs to come from a gradual natural place of inner growth. Of course God can play a powerful part in our restoration of self worth, I was just appreciative of the way Natalie found her peace in the story.

Thoroughly enjoyed it, you could read this without the others first, even though the characters play significant roles in this book. However, I loved that I knew them already and we have such a natural continuation. So, seek out the first two and enjoy some PEI bliss.

Thanks to Netgalley & Revell for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Natalie O’Ryan fled Prince Edward Island 15 years ago hoping never to return. When her fiancé, Russell, surprises her with the “perfect” wedding venue in her hometown, she can’t refuse him without bringing up a lot of secrets that she’d prefer to keep hidden. But can she avoid her former best friend and her tormenters for six weeks as she prepares for the wedding? Natalie is determined not to let the people who drove her away ruin her wedding.
How do you escape your past in a small town where others may know more about you than you do? This is a beautiful story that deals with hard issues of abuse and gossip as well as hospitality and forgiveness. As Natalie revisits her past, she realizes things weren’t all as bleak as she remembered.
I enjoyed Natalie and Justin’s relationship. The care Justin showed for Natalie when she was just a child was so brave and poignant. Their banter and understanding that comes from a lifetime of friendship begins to come after they deal with the hard realities of what happened.
I love “Mama Cheese Sandwich” and Aretha Franklin (not the singer) and want to be like them. They aren’t afraid to step in and help those who are hurting.
This book, like the others in the series, is a wonderful read with delicious writing. I particularly enjoyed the vivid imagery. “That didn’t stop a bucket of dread from gnawing its way into his belly and settling in like it was paying rent” (location 352). Or this one….”Russell’s words hung out there like underclothes on the line, too embarrassing to take down after someone else had pinned them up for the whole town to see” (location 446).
If you need a good summer read, pick up this book. You can read it as a stand-alone but it’s even better if you start at book 1. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Prince Edward Island Dreams series
Book 1: The Red Door Inn
Book 2: Where Two Hearts Meet
Book 3: On Love’s Gentle Shore

On Love's Gentle Shore

A Novel
by Liz Johnson

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 04 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy On Love's Gentle through Revell and Netgalley:

Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return to Prince Edward Island, but fifteen years later she finds herself back on the island hoping no one recognizes her. After her fiancé music producer Russell Jacobs books their wedding in Natalie's hometown.

Justin Kane has never forget Natalie or his dreams of being a singer.

But the venue they originally booked fell through and Natalie finds herself scrambling to find a new venue .
As Justin and Natalie work together to ready the dilapidated old building, will something rekindle? Will they be able to forgive one another, and build a life together?

Find out in On Love's Gentle Shore!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

This third addition to the series was just as wonderful as the other two. The characters from the first two books were within this story but did not overtake the drama. Love, redemption and forgiveness were interwoven in the story with a skillful hand. Well done, Ms. Johnson!

What a beautiful and well written book. I love the plot, characters and setting. Now I must read the previous books in this series. Enjoyed the author's style of writing.