This was a charming love story about enemies who become friends and then develop a romantic relationship. Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross are the central characters, both of whom are delightfully quirky. Meg is a physics teacher and the daughter of a lobster fisherman. When her dad decides to sell his business in order to focus on her mom’s failing health, Meg is distraught to find out that her dad is selling the business to Oliver, the guy who ruined her science project and ruined her chances to attend an Ivy League college. Her father, desperate to sell but also unwilling to anger Meg, comes up with the solution to have the two share the business and see who does the best work with it. The humor in this book is outstanding as the two enemies gradually begin to accept each other, let go of a decades old grudge and forgive. I enjoyed the subtle Christian themes that ran throughout the book and the fact that it is definitely a clean read. The theme of letting go of old dreams and embracing new ones is a good lesson to learn for everyone. There is also a small mystery involved when their lobster boat keeps getting sabotaged and the revelation of who was the culprit was a surprise. Although I was not sure at first that I would enjoy a book about lobster fishing, I really did. The setting of Prince Edward Island and the small town life there was perfect for the story, a story that was not complicated and was somewhat predictable, but it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

What a gorgeous story! It was definitely helped by being set on Price Edward Island - thanks to Anne of Green Gables, I have been wanting to go there for years :)

Meg's family has been running lobster boats for generations but she has no interest in that area at all. She has a serious scientific bent and she leaves the fishing to her dad. Unfortunately, her mum is not well and her dad is spending all his time and energy on her so he needs to find a successor. Enter Oliver, who is keen to continue the legacy. Unfortunately, Meg and Oliver have bad blood between them that goes back ten years but in order to help Meg's dad, they have to work together.

A really lovely story about family, love and responsibility. I really liked both Meg and Oliver and Meg's parents were just lovely as well.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell.

I was swept away by this story and was not ready to go back to reality once it was done. I felt like I was right there, and was quite disappointed when I finished that last page. I just wasn't ready for it to be done.

Already struggling to come to terms with her mother's heath issues, Meg is horrified when her dad informs her that he plans to sell his lobster fishing business, which has been in the family for generations - and to her arch enemy. Despite her motion-sickness issues, she instantly declares that she wants the business instead. Oliver has regretted the action that earned Meg's hatred for years, but he's not going to let that destroy his chance to buy her dad's business and prove himself. But when her dad declares that the two must work together for the season before he will decide who is to get it, Oliver realises he's going to have to try to make things right - whatever it takes...

This touching, heart-warming story goes so much deeper than just enemies developing into friends and more - they've each got so much baggage to overcome and share. And the journey is both inspiring and thought-provoking. I have to admit that I didn't see the answer about the sabotage coming at all, though maybe I should have. All in all, this is a very enjoyable and highly satisfying story, and I look forward to future stories in the series - the tidbits about Eli in this book have me eager to read his story, because he sounds like he needs redemption badly. Looking forward to it and in the meantime, highly recommend this book!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Such a good book!!! Liz Johnson had me feeling all the emotions with Meg and Oliver’s story. I can not wait for Book 2 next summer.

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson is the first book in a new series Prince Edward Island Shores. I picked up this book on a whim. I loved the cover and thought it would be interesting based on the title. What I discovered was a book deeply embedded with family and love. The story does come from a strong background of faith and highlights, at least to me, forgiving and allowing forgiveness to be part of your life. This is not a book I normally would have picked, but I did enjoy the novel and am looking forward to reading more in this series.

The book centers around Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross. Meg’s father wants to sell his license and lobstering business to Oliver. His daughter has always not wanted it, at least until he was going to sell it to Oliver - a kid who ruined her science project that would have gotten her a scholarship to college. Meg went on to another college and graduated with a masters. She returned home when her mom began falling and began teaching. Oliver went to work for Meg’s dad and became a quality lobsterman.

A deal was struck that they had to work together on the boat for a season and then a decision would be made. The outcome is as expected although the path was not a straight line. The connections and the building of a relationship was interesting with all the twists.

I enjoyed reading Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson.

Liz Johnson is taking us back to Prince Edward Island with her latest series and I could not be more thrilled.

Meg Whitaker has decided to leave her job in teaching, to take over her father’s lobster fishing business. The problem is Oliver Ross, Mr. Whitakers employee, has already entered into a spoken agreement with Whitaker to buy the business. Meg and Oliver have been arch enemies since high school when Oliver destroyed Meg‘s science fair robot. Mr. Whitaker decides they should both run the business for the summer and he will decide at the end who will get to take over the business.

Can Meg and Oliver stand to work together for an entire summer? Who will win the competition? And will feelings get in the way?

This is such a sweet story of familial love. Meg’s relationship with her sick mom had me reflecting on my own relationship with my parents, not wanting to take one minute of our time together for granted.

The relationship between Meg and Oliver is also a sweet one to watch develop.

I’m looking forward to more in this series!

This is the first book I have read by Liz Johnson but it won't be the last as I really enjoyed it! I have seen numerous favorite authors of mine raving about this book, so I knew I wanted to read it and see what the fuss was about. It was beautiful!

I can always rely on Liz Johnson for an emotional, tug at your heart strings Christian romance. I loved that this series returned to prince edward island. this was a good start to a new series.

This is the first book in a new series, Prince Edward Island Shores, by Liz Johnson. Beyond the Tides was also the first book I’ve had the pleasure to read by Johnson and I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

It was a great adventure to see the journey of Oliver and Meg as they went from high school enemies to friends and more. They both go through so much personal and emotional growth to come to a healthier place as adults and learn to love and care for those around them.

As a bonus to a heartfelt story, I learned a lot about lobster fishing! And the setting…oh, my! Anyone up for a trip to PEI?

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was first drawn to this novel because of the author, I have enjoyed man of her other novels. The intriguing cover also caught my eye. So, I jumped in the book not knowing what to expect. The story moved along as the author does her best to give readers the back story to the leading characters. I found it hard to connect with Meg Whitaker and her desire to take over the family fishing business and her hatred for Oliver Ross (who ruined her dreams of getting a scholarship).

I did read the entire novel hoping I’d connect with the story. Alas, I wanted to like this book (and thought I would by the end), but I found the story and the characters hard to connect with. This author is still one of my favorites. I look forward to reading more of this author’s book. The author does have themes of forgiveness, healing, loss and love. I guess I just couldn’t get into the fishing company situation with the lobster boats, and the battle for who would own the company in the end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Thank you to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in advance of publishing in exchange for an honest review. Beyond the Tides publishes on August 3, 2021.

I was drawn to this book after seeing that it is set on Prince Edward Island and centred around the lobster fishing business.

Meg Whitaker is a teacher at the local school in the town of Victoria. She walks away from teaching to try to stop her father form selling his fishing business to her high school nemesis, Oliver Ross. Oliver doesn't come without his own family struggles, and all he wants is to create a stable environment for his family.

From the beginning it was clear where this enemies to lovers romance was going, but that didn't stop me from enjoying watching the story unfold.

This was a quick, easy read and I'm looking forward to reading the future books in the series. Especially reading more about Prince Edward Island.

A sweet series starter from Liz Johnson! Beyond the Tides is charmingly romantic and intriguing. At times I wished for a bit more action, but Johnson’s writing is engaging and will keep readers interested. I enjoyed following each character’s journey—the tension between Meg and Oliver was well-written, and Johnson definitely knows how to write a great kiss! I’m especially excited for Oliver’s brothers’ stories, and to return to the enchanting shores of Prince Edward Island. Fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this sweet and satisfying story. 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.
This was a very comfortable book to read. By that I mean there is no violence or any high intense action. The story educates the reader on lobster fishing, but it doesn't overwhelm you with details. It's a good clean read. Even though it's a bit predictable, you'll want to read to the end to see how it all plays out.

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.

A lovely book and wonderful read. I loved this book because it deals with real time issues like family, trust, confidence and courage. It was a really sweet story!

3.5 Stars. I wanted to read this book because of the gorgeous cover and of course I love an enemies to lovers romance. I was surprised to find that this was a clean (not even fade to black but fully clean) and inspirational romance. I don’t usually pick up inspirational romances so this was very different from what I usually read.

I liked both Meg and Oliver, especially Meg. I found them both sympathetic and relatable. I appreciated that they were both were having family struggles and it wasn’t one with struggles and the other with the perfect family. The think I liked most with the book is the setting. I really want to visit Prince Edward Island and this this book made me want to go there even more.

I struggled with how much Meg was manipulated by everyone around her. From Oliver to her dad, everyone really just took advantage of her and her desire to be good and helpful. Also so much of everyone’s plans was contingent on her being manipulated. It just made me uncomfortable how much that everyone who was supposed to love her was actively taking advantage of her. I also thought there were waaayyy too many details about the lobster fishing and felt like it bogged down the romance. That being said, I will keep an eye out for the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the ARC.

This was a pretty good book that held my interest for the most part. It seemed to be well written. I learned about the lobster fishing lifestyle…it’s hard!! Sweet, clean love story. This was the first book I’ve read by this author.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

What a gorgeous cover! This compelling tale from Liz Johnson takes readers to the PEI of Canada and into a very tense family situations and intense drama of past incidents. Meg and Oliver are forced to work together, and on their internal conflicts loaded with pain and sorrow, sparks and chemistry. When second chances of grace, hope and joy are offered, how will they respond? Oh, and there's some sabotage of the fishing business, too.

The intriguing preview of book two is included, which garnered a vote on my Must-Read list.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

Beyond the Tides
by Liz Johnson
Revell
You Like Them
Romance
Pub Date 03 Aug 2021 | Archive Date 03 Sep 2021

Prince Edward Island is a great setting for this book. I loved the cover and really enjoyed the story of two struggling soles. This is a new author for me but I will look for her books in the future.
For me, this is a thumbs up!! thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the ARC. Good book!

4 star