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Red Door Inn Romance #2
Sometimes You Stay
For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. And it's constantly landing in new places as she travels the world. She's never been interested in settling in one spot--after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can't exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.
Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she's been missing with life on the road--and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn't do, and risking the only thing she's never put on the line--her heart.
New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island for an inspiring story full of adorable puppies, sweet friendship, and unexpected romance.
Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she's been missing with life on the road--and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn't do, and risking the only thing she's never put on the line--her heart.
New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island for an inspiring story full of adorable puppies, sweet friendship, and unexpected romance.
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
17 people are currently reading
5245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 20, 2025
Sometimes You Stay is the second book of Liz Johnson’s that I’ve read and I loved it as much as the first one I read by her. Both definitely go on my shelf of favorites. The Author takes her readers back to Prince Edward Island to the Red Door Inn. We are reintroduced to old characters and get to meet Lucretia Martin who is one of the main characters in this book. A second leading character is Finn Chaffey who raises St. Barnard puppies and trains them to be service dogs. Lucretia, or Cretia as a nick name is a popular and famous Travel Influencer. When she decides to make a short stop in PEI for promotional purposes things don’t go as she plans and she accidentally meets Finn during a photo shoot down by the harbor. She thought she would only be in town over night but unplanned circumstances delays her departure. Find out what keeps Cretia in town when you read this cute and romantic story.
I thought the cover was beautiful and made me want to read the book. It was a cute and witty read that drew me in from the first chapter. Definitely a page turner! Once you start reading this book you won’t want to put it down. It was romantic, engaging, entertaining and a very enjoyable read. I loved all the characters, both human and animals.
I highly recommend Sometimes You Stay to readers of Women’s Fiction, Romantic Fiction and for those who have read other books in this series. This book could be read as a standalone but you might want to read other books in this series too. It is scheduled for release on 5/20/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are entirely my own.
#SometimesYouStay #NetGalley
I thought the cover was beautiful and made me want to read the book. It was a cute and witty read that drew me in from the first chapter. Definitely a page turner! Once you start reading this book you won’t want to put it down. It was romantic, engaging, entertaining and a very enjoyable read. I loved all the characters, both human and animals.
I highly recommend Sometimes You Stay to readers of Women’s Fiction, Romantic Fiction and for those who have read other books in this series. This book could be read as a standalone but you might want to read other books in this series too. It is scheduled for release on 5/20/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are entirely my own.
#SometimesYouStay #NetGalley
May 11, 2025
Sometimes You Stay is a heartwarming love story set on Prince Edward Island with a visit back to the Red Door Inn. Cretia and Finn met accidentally at the harbor that required a rescue of Cretia by Joe, Jr, Finn's Newfoundland dog. She is there to check out the sights for her travel vlog. When her electronics are lost to the water, she has to stay longer than planned. Cretia falls in love with Finn's Newfoundland dogs that he breeds and other animals as she visits his home while staying at the inn. The humans' relationship is really sweet to watch as they get to know each other. Both have issues. He wants to make it on his own to prove he can to his dad. She travels so that she doesn't become her mom. Light, funny and inspirational love story.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
March 23, 2025
A digital nomad, a charming dog breeder, and an accident that leads to unexpected romance—sounds like the perfect cozy read, right? Almost. This book delivers all the small-town charm, puppy antics, and sweet chemistry you’d expect, but the pacing drags at times, and Cretia’s internal conflict feels a bit repetitive. Finn is a swoony, grounded hero, and the Prince Edward Island setting is pure Hallmark magic. While not a knock-your-socks-off romance, it’s a warm, feel-good read with just enough heart to keep you invested.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars) – Cute, but not life-changing
🎶"Home" – Phillip Phillips
🎶"Somewhere Only We Know" – Keane
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars) – Cute, but not life-changing
🎶"Home" – Phillip Phillips
🎶"Somewhere Only We Know" – Keane
May 15, 2025
Well hello, Farmer Finn… where have you been all my life? Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiich is what CRETIA is saying. Not me. Because it would be silly and foolish for me to say such a thing about a fictional character. (But just between us, Finn is super swoony and made me grin like a silly fool. So there’s that.)
From the moment travel influencer Cretia Martin literally bumped into dog breeder Finn Chaffey (and subsequently went falling into the harbor) I knew this love story would become one of my faves. He’s deeply rooted in his home and the family business, and his idea of technology is dial-up and a flip phone. She’s intentionally rootless and makes her living traveling around the world creating digital content for all her followers. How can you not delight in watching a relationship blossom between these two opposites, especially when Cretia’s phone and laptop don’t survive her unexpected dip in the harbor and she’s dependent on his computer to order new ones. The time they spend together, working with his animals and getting to know one another … and falling in love… is just so tender and joy-filled and lots of fun. And that’s even before the well-worth-the-wait, delicious kisses that had me swooning and reaching for a fan and grinning like a silly fool again.
I loved Cretia so much – her friendly nature & witty personality sparkled more with every minute she spent on Prince Edward Island (and with Finn), despite her resistance to putting down roots. And I’ve already mentioned how much I adored Finn and his general swooniness, but I also loved his steady heart and infinite kindness too. When you add in Finn’s endearing menagerie, including the sweet & goofy Newfoundland dog Joe Jr. (whom I loved nearly as much as I did Finn himself), well just consider my heart happily & completely claimed for the foreseeable future. The healing that both Finn and Cretia need to do – separately and together – is another highlight of this novel for me, and Johnson excels at weaving personal & spiritual growth into their story in ways that feel perfectly organic to their characters. Gosh, I just fell in love with these two (and Joe, Jr.) and I am still smiling just thinking about them now.
Bottom Line: In case you can’t already tell, I loved everything about Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson! This author writes with such heart and creates vibrant characters that you wish you could be friends with (or swoon over) in real life. And this time, she also introduced me to a bunch of four-legged characters that captured my affection too, Joe Jr. being the endearing king of them all. Finn and Cretia are really fun to watch fall in love, and the swoonlicious chemistry between them had me forgetting to breathe and unable to tear my attention away from their story. But amid the fanning and the grinning and my sheer delight in getting to know these characters, I also appreciated the sweet notes of grace and the beauty of community. I can’t say enough good things about Sometimes You Stay, and if you love truly entertaining and uplifting stories that include witty humor, layered characters, yummy kisses, and picturesque settings, you must add this one to the top of your TBR pile!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
From the moment travel influencer Cretia Martin literally bumped into dog breeder Finn Chaffey (and subsequently went falling into the harbor) I knew this love story would become one of my faves. He’s deeply rooted in his home and the family business, and his idea of technology is dial-up and a flip phone. She’s intentionally rootless and makes her living traveling around the world creating digital content for all her followers. How can you not delight in watching a relationship blossom between these two opposites, especially when Cretia’s phone and laptop don’t survive her unexpected dip in the harbor and she’s dependent on his computer to order new ones. The time they spend together, working with his animals and getting to know one another … and falling in love… is just so tender and joy-filled and lots of fun. And that’s even before the well-worth-the-wait, delicious kisses that had me swooning and reaching for a fan and grinning like a silly fool again.
I loved Cretia so much – her friendly nature & witty personality sparkled more with every minute she spent on Prince Edward Island (and with Finn), despite her resistance to putting down roots. And I’ve already mentioned how much I adored Finn and his general swooniness, but I also loved his steady heart and infinite kindness too. When you add in Finn’s endearing menagerie, including the sweet & goofy Newfoundland dog Joe Jr. (whom I loved nearly as much as I did Finn himself), well just consider my heart happily & completely claimed for the foreseeable future. The healing that both Finn and Cretia need to do – separately and together – is another highlight of this novel for me, and Johnson excels at weaving personal & spiritual growth into their story in ways that feel perfectly organic to their characters. Gosh, I just fell in love with these two (and Joe, Jr.) and I am still smiling just thinking about them now.
Bottom Line: In case you can’t already tell, I loved everything about Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson! This author writes with such heart and creates vibrant characters that you wish you could be friends with (or swoon over) in real life. And this time, she also introduced me to a bunch of four-legged characters that captured my affection too, Joe Jr. being the endearing king of them all. Finn and Cretia are really fun to watch fall in love, and the swoonlicious chemistry between them had me forgetting to breathe and unable to tear my attention away from their story. But amid the fanning and the grinning and my sheer delight in getting to know these characters, I also appreciated the sweet notes of grace and the beauty of community. I can’t say enough good things about Sometimes You Stay, and if you love truly entertaining and uplifting stories that include witty humor, layered characters, yummy kisses, and picturesque settings, you must add this one to the top of your TBR pile!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
did-not-finish
August 14, 2025dnf - no rating as I don’t rate book I didn’t finish.
It’s a cute book. If you like fluffy summer reads this one is for you. However it didn’t keep my interest and I needed more to the plot than dogs and recovering electronics to keep me reading.
It’s a cute book. If you like fluffy summer reads this one is for you. However it didn’t keep my interest and I needed more to the plot than dogs and recovering electronics to keep me reading.
August 1, 2025
Sometimes You Stay was a great contemporary romance. I loved the characters so much and it was fun to get another Red Door Inn story.
I thought the way the main characters met was cute and both of their jobs were intriguing. The story moved very quickly and I loved the ending.
All in all, Sometimes You Stay was a great summer read. You don't need to read the previous book in order to enjoy this one. Recommended to fans of contemporary romance.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
I thought the way the main characters met was cute and both of their jobs were intriguing. The story moved very quickly and I loved the ending.
All in all, Sometimes You Stay was a great summer read. You don't need to read the previous book in order to enjoy this one. Recommended to fans of contemporary romance.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*
June 15, 2025
Really enjoyed this read! Loved revisiting the Red Door Inn and PEI. A sweet story perfect for summer.
July 7, 2025
Once I saw that there was a Newfoundland on the cover of Sometimes You Stay I knew I had to read it! My dog Finley is a Newfoundland and I've always loved that breed. I thought it was so cool that Finn, the male main character, breeds Newfoundlands. Both Finn and Cretia were likable characters and it was fun reading about them!
This is definitely my favorite book that I've read by Liz Johnson!
This is definitely my favorite book that I've read by Liz Johnson!
June 11, 2025
This was an entertaining read with a dog breeder and a digital content creator set in PEI. These two couldn't be more different, one is tech savvy while the other still uses a flip phone. Cretia, the content creator, is in PEI for a few days, but all her tech and stuff if ruined when she literally runs in Finn, a dog breeder. She has to stay for longer than originally planned while she waits for new items to be delivered. She ends up spending time at Finn's farm while she uses his computer to order and track her items. During this time she gets to know him and all the various animals he is caring for. I enjoyed the interactions with the animals more than I thought I would. The characters deal with the issues from their pasts that have shaped their ideals and expectations for life and how to move forward when dreams change. I thought the explanation of the content creator role was very well done. This book made me laugh and the setting is so well described that I crave returning to PEI myself one day.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
May 30, 2025
This was a super sweet read! The storyline was unique from anything else I've ever read. A travel vlogger who lives a nomadic lifestyle and a rescue dog trainer who never leaves home for more than a few hours...a match made in heaven.
Both characters were likable and the animals added such a fun layer to the story! I loved reading about the little town and the quick way they took Cretia into their folds. The theme of found family was done well and very sweetly.
The faith was on the lighter side but incorporated well and naturally.
RATINGS:
✝️✝️
💋
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Both characters were likable and the animals added such a fun layer to the story! I loved reading about the little town and the quick way they took Cretia into their folds. The theme of found family was done well and very sweetly.
The faith was on the lighter side but incorporated well and naturally.
RATINGS:
✝️✝️
💋
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
July 1, 2025
Sometimes You Stay returns readers to the beloved setting of Prince Edward Island and Liz Johnson's story world of endearing characters. This tale is a romance between a sweet hero and heroine navigating purpose, expectations, and dreams. Johnson gives romance readers exactly what they want with Finn, an imperfect yet adorable hero whose penchant for strays is paired with his penchant for wearing Henleys with the sleeves rolled up (IYKYK). Cretia is a fierce match for him, determined to overcome and create a different life than her past would have dictated, when she finds an unexpected kinship with PEI and its community. From the meet-cute to the growing attraction between Finn and Cretia, their connection is sprinkled with enchanted moments appreciating puppies, God's creation, and the sense of belonging to be found with a soul-match.
My thanks to Netgalley for the review copy of this book. This is my honest review.
My thanks to Netgalley for the review copy of this book. This is my honest review.
May 17, 2025
OVERALL STAR RATING: 4/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
A novel set on Prince Edward Island is always a good idea! 😉 This story starts off with quite the meet-cute mishap and is one of those “warm hug” type books. The characters are easy to love, and the overall message is inspiring. You may think you have your life planned out, but we can often be thrown curveballs we weren’t expecting. A great reminder that we need to be open to change and adventure or we might just miss out on some of God’s greatest gifts.
Travel vlogger and influencer, Cretia Martin has lived most of her life on the go and out of a suitcase. She travels around the entire world providing her followers with tips and tricks for the ultimate vacation. Her childhood wasn’t exactly ideal – and “home” for her growing up wasn’t anything that inspired her to want to settle down and create a home of her own. She thrives off her fast-paced travel adventures, but she’s soon forced to slow down when she finds herself toppled over into the harbor while visiting Prince Edward Island. Cretia isn’t hurt, but all her vlogging equipment, laptop and even her phone are destroyed by the plunge.
Luckily, a local by the name of Finn and his giant Newfoundland dog come to her rescue. They help pull Cretia from the water and provide her with a place to stay at the Red Door Inn. She’s forced to stay on the island as she waits for a new phone and laptop to be delivered. Staying put in one place tests her patience, but she’s able to tap into the beauty of Finn’s slow-paced life of breeding puppies. Finn and Cretia have an instant connection. Their chemistry is sweet, and their relationship is so easy to root for. The problem being that Cretia has never wanted to settle down in one place and Finn certainly has zero interest in leaving his beloved island.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
A novel set on Prince Edward Island is always a good idea! 😉 This story starts off with quite the meet-cute mishap and is one of those “warm hug” type books. The characters are easy to love, and the overall message is inspiring. You may think you have your life planned out, but we can often be thrown curveballs we weren’t expecting. A great reminder that we need to be open to change and adventure or we might just miss out on some of God’s greatest gifts.
Travel vlogger and influencer, Cretia Martin has lived most of her life on the go and out of a suitcase. She travels around the entire world providing her followers with tips and tricks for the ultimate vacation. Her childhood wasn’t exactly ideal – and “home” for her growing up wasn’t anything that inspired her to want to settle down and create a home of her own. She thrives off her fast-paced travel adventures, but she’s soon forced to slow down when she finds herself toppled over into the harbor while visiting Prince Edward Island. Cretia isn’t hurt, but all her vlogging equipment, laptop and even her phone are destroyed by the plunge.
Luckily, a local by the name of Finn and his giant Newfoundland dog come to her rescue. They help pull Cretia from the water and provide her with a place to stay at the Red Door Inn. She’s forced to stay on the island as she waits for a new phone and laptop to be delivered. Staying put in one place tests her patience, but she’s able to tap into the beauty of Finn’s slow-paced life of breeding puppies. Finn and Cretia have an instant connection. Their chemistry is sweet, and their relationship is so easy to root for. The problem being that Cretia has never wanted to settle down in one place and Finn certainly has zero interest in leaving his beloved island.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
June 27, 2025
"Sometimes You Stay" is a charming romance featuring characters you'll easily relate to. Cretia Martin and Finn Chaffey are completely different in what they want from life. A simple, accidental meeting on Prince Edward Island brings them together unexpectedly.
What really made me smile about this story:
-The way they meet, thanks to Joe Jr., with water playing a part.
-The adorable animals Finn cares for, including dogs, tiny puppies, a cow with a unique personality, and lively goats.
-The warm-hearted locals who quickly welcome a stranger as one of their own.
-The immediate bond between Finn and Cretia. It felt genuine and sweet.
Some could see this as just another rom-com, but it’s more than that. The main characters carry scars from their past which hold them back from opening their hearts again. Letting go of old hurt isn’t easy, and both Finn and Cretia face that challenge. I was so relieved when they started tearing down those walls and revealing who they truly are. Their first kiss makes every moment waiting worth it.
"Sometimes You Stay" is a warm, uplifting story with a sweet, clean romance, sprinkled with humor and moments of healing. It’s a perfect addition to your summer reading list.
What really made me smile about this story:
-The way they meet, thanks to Joe Jr., with water playing a part.
-The adorable animals Finn cares for, including dogs, tiny puppies, a cow with a unique personality, and lively goats.
-The warm-hearted locals who quickly welcome a stranger as one of their own.
-The immediate bond between Finn and Cretia. It felt genuine and sweet.
Some could see this as just another rom-com, but it’s more than that. The main characters carry scars from their past which hold them back from opening their hearts again. Letting go of old hurt isn’t easy, and both Finn and Cretia face that challenge. I was so relieved when they started tearing down those walls and revealing who they truly are. Their first kiss makes every moment waiting worth it.
"Sometimes You Stay" is a warm, uplifting story with a sweet, clean romance, sprinkled with humor and moments of healing. It’s a perfect addition to your summer reading list.
June 14, 2025
I hadn’t read the first in the series before reading this for an arc and I can say that I did not feel I had missed out anything as all the details about the main characters and the gorgeous town are included within the book.
My favourite part of this book was the dogs! And I can honestly understand how Cretia fell in love with them too, I wanted all of them.
Forced proximity is one of my favourite tropes and this book does it well. The relationship between the characters is deep and meaningful and blossoms throughout the story. Finn and Cretia’s relationship feels real as they both have to work through their own issues.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc.
My favourite part of this book was the dogs! And I can honestly understand how Cretia fell in love with them too, I wanted all of them.
Forced proximity is one of my favourite tropes and this book does it well. The relationship between the characters is deep and meaningful and blossoms throughout the story. Finn and Cretia’s relationship feels real as they both have to work through their own issues.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc.
April 16, 2025
Such a fun experience to be on Prince Edward Island. It seemed like such a great community with a family vibe.
I loved how Marie and Finn opened up their hearts and homes to a complete stranger in Cretia. Cretia's job seems like so much fun despite not having a real home. Cretia's history with her mom was mentioned quite a bit throughout the story. Farmer Finn was a great guy who took in all of the strays whether they were animal or human. His heart to help others was truly remarkable.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
I loved how Marie and Finn opened up their hearts and homes to a complete stranger in Cretia. Cretia's job seems like so much fun despite not having a real home. Cretia's history with her mom was mentioned quite a bit throughout the story. Farmer Finn was a great guy who took in all of the strays whether they were animal or human. His heart to help others was truly remarkable.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
June 6, 2025
This was a fun read. I loved the dogs and other animals. Cretia's hang-up is reasonable to her past. The romance is sweet.
I did think that Cretia's relationship with Marie was the friendship version of insta-love. I would have enjoyed seeing that develop so that the words of love and friendship felt more earned. And Finn's hang-up with his dad lacked some credibility, I thought. The circumstance, when it's finally revealed, did not seem to warrant the level of negativity and significance he ascribed to it.
But other than that, this was an enjoyable, clean romance novel. Well worth the read.
I did think that Cretia's relationship with Marie was the friendship version of insta-love. I would have enjoyed seeing that develop so that the words of love and friendship felt more earned. And Finn's hang-up with his dad lacked some credibility, I thought. The circumstance, when it's finally revealed, did not seem to warrant the level of negativity and significance he ascribed to it.
But other than that, this was an enjoyable, clean romance novel. Well worth the read.
March 10, 2025
Sometimes You Stay is a LOVELY novel with a heartwarming message and some cute comedy tucked in by Liz Johnson. The lead character Cretia lives a life of a famous travel influencer--driven to keep roaming the world without settling down. Why? Because she doesn't want to become her mom.
Finn is a driven independent business owner determined to succeed by his own bootstraps. He isn't going to ask anyone for help or that would mean that he can't do it himself--aka. failure. He must prove to his dad that he's not going to let the business fail.
Each of them are driven in their current life because of interactions with their parents in the past. Circumstances throw them together and they learn that they are MORE than capable to rising above their fears and embracing the unknown.
I love Joe Jr. (totally got the reference immediately) and the job that Finn has raising Newfoundland dogs for rescue teams.
There is such a strong faith over fear message in this book. Very heartwarming. I wrote down a few things in my quote journal.
I'm hoping this is a series because I will be back for more.
Literally the only thing--two weeks to fall in love? Sigh. I never do like those tropes. But that is the only thing really that is negative to me.
*Thank you to NetGAlley and the publishers for an ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
Finn is a driven independent business owner determined to succeed by his own bootstraps. He isn't going to ask anyone for help or that would mean that he can't do it himself--aka. failure. He must prove to his dad that he's not going to let the business fail.
Each of them are driven in their current life because of interactions with their parents in the past. Circumstances throw them together and they learn that they are MORE than capable to rising above their fears and embracing the unknown.
I love Joe Jr. (totally got the reference immediately) and the job that Finn has raising Newfoundland dogs for rescue teams.
There is such a strong faith over fear message in this book. Very heartwarming. I wrote down a few things in my quote journal.
I'm hoping this is a series because I will be back for more.
Literally the only thing--two weeks to fall in love? Sigh. I never do like those tropes. But that is the only thing really that is negative to me.
*Thank you to NetGAlley and the publishers for an ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
June 16, 2025
"The heart of love is always sacrifice."
I really enjoyed coming back to Prince Edward Island. The beauty of the island is always stunning, no matter how many times I visit through the author's books set on the island. One day, I will go experience it in-person. It was a pleasure to reconnect with Marie and Seth, as well as Natalie and Justin. Finn and Cretia were a fun couple. Finn was an amazing hero with his tender, compassionate heart and deep sense of loyalty. Cretia had spunk, grit, and creativity in spades as well as a bruised heart that needed some tending. These two were perfect for each other as they cared for Finn's dogs and rescue animals. They both matured throughout the book to be able to shed their fears and reach for their dreams.
Though Finn and Cretia were lovable, they felt a bit one-dimensional and not as fully fleshed out as the author's previous Prince Edward Island characters. Still, fans of contemporary romance will enjoy getting to know Finn and Cretia on this beautiful island.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed coming back to Prince Edward Island. The beauty of the island is always stunning, no matter how many times I visit through the author's books set on the island. One day, I will go experience it in-person. It was a pleasure to reconnect with Marie and Seth, as well as Natalie and Justin. Finn and Cretia were a fun couple. Finn was an amazing hero with his tender, compassionate heart and deep sense of loyalty. Cretia had spunk, grit, and creativity in spades as well as a bruised heart that needed some tending. These two were perfect for each other as they cared for Finn's dogs and rescue animals. They both matured throughout the book to be able to shed their fears and reach for their dreams.
Though Finn and Cretia were lovable, they felt a bit one-dimensional and not as fully fleshed out as the author's previous Prince Edward Island characters. Still, fans of contemporary romance will enjoy getting to know Finn and Cretia on this beautiful island.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
June 13, 2025
If you’ve read any of her books lately you know that are set in one of my favorite places Prince Edward Island so I just love revisiting this setting. I must admit the main female character got on my nerves at the beginning but once I got her backstory I understood why she was the way she was! 🥴. So bear with her because if you are like me she will grate on your nerves a bit. But she does grow on you and you will see a different side of her.
Finn was great and felt like he was such a softie and I absolutely loved that he raised dogs and had a menagerie of animals in his farm. He is super sweet and his kindness just exudes out of him. He falls rather quickly for Cretia and falls hard.
Overall it was a cute story and perfect if you are looking for a sweet summer read that’s not too heavy!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
Finn was great and felt like he was such a softie and I absolutely loved that he raised dogs and had a menagerie of animals in his farm. He is super sweet and his kindness just exudes out of him. He falls rather quickly for Cretia and falls hard.
Overall it was a cute story and perfect if you are looking for a sweet summer read that’s not too heavy!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
July 9, 2025
was given this as an arc several months ago… didn’t realize until over halfway through what the theme of the book was and once i did it took me forever to finish… that aside though, this book was so hard to get into. the writing felt immature and the pacing too fast for my liking.
June 30, 2025
Sometimes You Stay is everything I love and expect from Liz Johnson's stories. Swoony hero, charming setting, great cast of characters, humor, and kisses!! I was engaged from start to finish and honestly didn't want it to end.
Finn and Cretia are opposites and yet they make such a fantastic duo. Somehow Johnson was able to bring them together in a way where they weren't battling, they were lifting each other up and helping each other shine. If that makes sense... and that's what makes a great opposites attract story. The characters aren't bickering (for too long anyways), or trying to convince each other their way is the only way. They're just a great balance for each other.
Romance fans will fall in love once again with the beautiful Prince Edward Island, Johnson's characters, and the sweet chemistry between Finn and Cretia. I highly recommend Sometimes You Stay! And side note - though it is book 2 in a series, you can read it as a stand alone. However - the first book is great so you might as well start there. ;)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Finn and Cretia are opposites and yet they make such a fantastic duo. Somehow Johnson was able to bring them together in a way where they weren't battling, they were lifting each other up and helping each other shine. If that makes sense... and that's what makes a great opposites attract story. The characters aren't bickering (for too long anyways), or trying to convince each other their way is the only way. They're just a great balance for each other.
Romance fans will fall in love once again with the beautiful Prince Edward Island, Johnson's characters, and the sweet chemistry between Finn and Cretia. I highly recommend Sometimes You Stay! And side note - though it is book 2 in a series, you can read it as a stand alone. However - the first book is great so you might as well start there. ;)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 24, 2025
This is a fun and quick read set in one of my all time favorite places-Prince Edward Island.
I love PEI and this book brings it to life.
I enjoyed the animals that showed up in this story and the characters from past books also make appearances.
This is a great summer read!
Check out more of Liz's books for further trips to PEI!
#lizjohnsonbooks #revell #revellreads #fictionbooks #christianfiction #contemporaryromance #christianromance
I love PEI and this book brings it to life.
I enjoyed the animals that showed up in this story and the characters from past books also make appearances.
This is a great summer read!
Check out more of Liz's books for further trips to PEI!
#lizjohnsonbooks #revell #revellreads #fictionbooks #christianfiction #contemporaryromance #christianromance
June 17, 2025
A story set on Prince Edward Island, darling animals, a swoony, handsome farmer, & an opposites attract romance? Yes, please! Sometimes You Stay was the perfect beach read. I loved seeing Cretia & Finn overcome their pasts, interact with adorable fourlegged friends, & find love.
Cretia Martin’s off on another adventure for her travel blog. As a social media influencer, she doesn’t have time to put down roots, but she’s also running from her past. When she’s accidentally bumped into the harbor, she’s rescued by Joe Jr., the brave Newfoundland, & his gorgeous owner Finn Chaffey. While her electronics are fried, she’s forced to stay at the darling Red Door Inn. As she gets to know the owner Marie, her family, & the handsome dog breeder Finn down the road, suddenly her nomadic lifestyle doesn’t seem so appealing anymore.
Finn Chaffey was instantly attracted to the beautiful woman whom he accidentally caused to fall into the harbor. His lonely existence of trying to keep his business afloat & caring for the dogs & other animals on his farm all by himself is suddenly made easier with Cretia by his side. She’s brimming with enthusiasm, humor, & good ideas. But what happens when her new electronics arrive & she leaves?
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story. I loved seeing Cretia & Finn overcome obstacles in their life. Cretia’s difficult childhood including a mom who’s a hoarder made her afraid to ever put down roots. I enjoyed the lovely Prince Edward Island community that welcomes her in. I loved seeing her fears slowly disappear & the idea of running away become more & more unappealing.
I loved Finn! He’s so kind & caring & though he’s fallen in love with Cretia he doesn’t want to clip her wings. I loved seeing him teach her how to care for the animals. He has the mistaken idea that he has to prove to his father he can run the business all on his own. I loved how he was able to see that he could ask for help.
This story is so delightful! I also enjoyed the sweet faith thread woven subtlety throughout. Highly recommend to cozy & inspirational romance readers. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. 4-4.5 stars!
Cretia Martin’s off on another adventure for her travel blog. As a social media influencer, she doesn’t have time to put down roots, but she’s also running from her past. When she’s accidentally bumped into the harbor, she’s rescued by Joe Jr., the brave Newfoundland, & his gorgeous owner Finn Chaffey. While her electronics are fried, she’s forced to stay at the darling Red Door Inn. As she gets to know the owner Marie, her family, & the handsome dog breeder Finn down the road, suddenly her nomadic lifestyle doesn’t seem so appealing anymore.
Finn Chaffey was instantly attracted to the beautiful woman whom he accidentally caused to fall into the harbor. His lonely existence of trying to keep his business afloat & caring for the dogs & other animals on his farm all by himself is suddenly made easier with Cretia by his side. She’s brimming with enthusiasm, humor, & good ideas. But what happens when her new electronics arrive & she leaves?
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story. I loved seeing Cretia & Finn overcome obstacles in their life. Cretia’s difficult childhood including a mom who’s a hoarder made her afraid to ever put down roots. I enjoyed the lovely Prince Edward Island community that welcomes her in. I loved seeing her fears slowly disappear & the idea of running away become more & more unappealing.
I loved Finn! He’s so kind & caring & though he’s fallen in love with Cretia he doesn’t want to clip her wings. I loved seeing him teach her how to care for the animals. He has the mistaken idea that he has to prove to his father he can run the business all on his own. I loved how he was able to see that he could ask for help.
This story is so delightful! I also enjoyed the sweet faith thread woven subtlety throughout. Highly recommend to cozy & inspirational romance readers. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. 4-4.5 stars!
May 20, 2025
I enjoyed reading Sometimes You Stay, set on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada. Cretia is a nomadic digital content creator and influencer who grew up in Arizona. She’s financially comfortable and fiercely independent as she travels the globe year round, sharing her travel adventures with her three million plus followers, and living out of her suitcase and backpack. When an accident sends her flying off the boardwalk in North Rustico on the PEI north shore and into the harbor, her anticipated two day stay on the island is extended by circumstances that are outside her control.
Finn feels terrible about his role in Cretia’s accidental dip in the harbor. He’s determined to make amends and help Cretia. He breeds Newfoundland puppies and trains them for search and rescue work, and he has a menagerie of adorable animals who live in his barn.
Finn has zero interest in new technology and international travel. He lives on the family farm that was established by his great grandfather and runs the family dog breeding business that was built up by his father and grandfather.
Cretia is welcomed by Marie at the charming Red Door Inn and she spends her time helping Finn with his animals. Cretia is challenged to think about why her dysfunctional childhood has driven her to travel and not put down roots.
A delightful romance unfolds as Finn and Cretia are drawn together and consider if they could become more than friends. Finn falls hard for Cretia, despite knowing she will leave him. Cretia has never wanted to stay anywhere until she meets Finn and the friendly island community who embrace her as one of their own.
The side characters and animals added many LOL moments and I loved seeing characters from Liz Johnson’s previous Prince Edward Island books in the story. I recommend Sometimes You Stay to contemporary romance readers who like opposites attract vacation romances with forced proximity, adorable animals, found family themes and relevant faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Finn feels terrible about his role in Cretia’s accidental dip in the harbor. He’s determined to make amends and help Cretia. He breeds Newfoundland puppies and trains them for search and rescue work, and he has a menagerie of adorable animals who live in his barn.
Finn has zero interest in new technology and international travel. He lives on the family farm that was established by his great grandfather and runs the family dog breeding business that was built up by his father and grandfather.
Cretia is welcomed by Marie at the charming Red Door Inn and she spends her time helping Finn with his animals. Cretia is challenged to think about why her dysfunctional childhood has driven her to travel and not put down roots.
A delightful romance unfolds as Finn and Cretia are drawn together and consider if they could become more than friends. Finn falls hard for Cretia, despite knowing she will leave him. Cretia has never wanted to stay anywhere until she meets Finn and the friendly island community who embrace her as one of their own.
The side characters and animals added many LOL moments and I loved seeing characters from Liz Johnson’s previous Prince Edward Island books in the story. I recommend Sometimes You Stay to contemporary romance readers who like opposites attract vacation romances with forced proximity, adorable animals, found family themes and relevant faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
May 20, 2025
To Cretia, home has always been a word with negative connotations, one she escapes by never staying anywhere for more than a few days - made not only possible but desirable by her career as a travel content creator. But when her first day on Prince Edward Island results in an unplanned bath in the sea, she finds herself for once unable to leave, since all - all! - her electronics are drowned and her cards at the bottom of the sea. Finn is horrified to have been the cause of Cretia's unwanted bath and does his best to help her get straightened out, starting with finding her a room at the Red Door Inn and providing a way to get online to order new equipment. But somehow this time staying longer in one place isn't making her itchy to leave, it's making her want to stay - possibly helped by Finn's adorable Newfoundland puppies, not to mention the rest of his menagerie. But can she overcome the fear that's always kept her moving on? This time there's more than one heart at stake...
A delightfully heart-warming and inspiring story, full of animal antics and human feelings, not to mention beautiful scenery. Finn and Cretia are such opposites in their ways of life, and yet clearly so compatible, so that it was wonderful seeing them work their way towards each other - though of course the final plunge was never going to be easy. I also loved the support they got from his (and soon her) friends. But of course, in their own way, the animals vied for the role of star of the show, even one-eyed Roberta! They're a great addition to the story for any animal-lover, and yet not such a focus as to put off anyone who may be less of a fan. And watching Finn and Cretia each face and battle their own demons to work towards better lives for themselves but also a best life together was inspiring. I've never been disappointed with this author's books, so the bar is pretty high - and each time she clears it easily. All in all, a great read with so much to love but also things to learn from. Highly recommended.
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.
A delightfully heart-warming and inspiring story, full of animal antics and human feelings, not to mention beautiful scenery. Finn and Cretia are such opposites in their ways of life, and yet clearly so compatible, so that it was wonderful seeing them work their way towards each other - though of course the final plunge was never going to be easy. I also loved the support they got from his (and soon her) friends. But of course, in their own way, the animals vied for the role of star of the show, even one-eyed Roberta! They're a great addition to the story for any animal-lover, and yet not such a focus as to put off anyone who may be less of a fan. And watching Finn and Cretia each face and battle their own demons to work towards better lives for themselves but also a best life together was inspiring. I've never been disappointed with this author's books, so the bar is pretty high - and each time she clears it easily. All in all, a great read with so much to love but also things to learn from. Highly recommended.
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.
May 19, 2025
Book Review: Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson
4.5 Stars
BLOG REVIEW: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Return to Prince Edward Island with another heartfelt Christian romance read! I really enjoyed this book! I connected with our characters and loved the tie in with the previous "Red Door Inn" books by Liz.
🌊Prince Edward Island
✝️Christian Romance
🐕Dog Breeder MMC
🎥Travel Vlogger FMC
😂Funny Meet Cute
🏡 The Red Door Inn
🏘️Small Town Setting
📚Character Driven Stories
🌅Scenic Island Life
Cretia is a digital content creator who does travel vlogs. She's been traveling for a long time and avoids attachment at all costs. She literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn on PEI and everything she's carrying goes into the harbor....technology included! So she can't really continue her travels until she get everything sorted out there. Finn feels terrible for causing this accident and offers to help her, putting her up at the local Red Door Inn. What Cretia doesn't expect to find is a place to settle, physically and emotionally. Her and Finn get to know each other and she really discovers what she has been missing - along with processing why she's been running for so long.
Loved seeing the animals, the sweet romance, the family elements, scenic island and I really connected with Cretia most of all. Her backstory had me tearing up at the end, because I found what she had been through with her Mother and home relatable in some ways. She found her outlet as travel vlogging and I have that with my own YouTube channel, so I can relate to that too.
Overall, a book I highly recommend! I recently read The Red Door Inn too, which was fun to get the backstory of how it got started and seeing characters show back up here, like Marie and Aretha, were awesome. Looking forward to going back to reading books 2 & 3 in that series.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
BLOG REVIEW: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Return to Prince Edward Island with another heartfelt Christian romance read! I really enjoyed this book! I connected with our characters and loved the tie in with the previous "Red Door Inn" books by Liz.
🌊Prince Edward Island
✝️Christian Romance
🐕Dog Breeder MMC
🎥Travel Vlogger FMC
😂Funny Meet Cute
🏡 The Red Door Inn
🏘️Small Town Setting
📚Character Driven Stories
🌅Scenic Island Life
Cretia is a digital content creator who does travel vlogs. She's been traveling for a long time and avoids attachment at all costs. She literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn on PEI and everything she's carrying goes into the harbor....technology included! So she can't really continue her travels until she get everything sorted out there. Finn feels terrible for causing this accident and offers to help her, putting her up at the local Red Door Inn. What Cretia doesn't expect to find is a place to settle, physically and emotionally. Her and Finn get to know each other and she really discovers what she has been missing - along with processing why she's been running for so long.
Loved seeing the animals, the sweet romance, the family elements, scenic island and I really connected with Cretia most of all. Her backstory had me tearing up at the end, because I found what she had been through with her Mother and home relatable in some ways. She found her outlet as travel vlogging and I have that with my own YouTube channel, so I can relate to that too.
Overall, a book I highly recommend! I recently read The Red Door Inn too, which was fun to get the backstory of how it got started and seeing characters show back up here, like Marie and Aretha, were awesome. Looking forward to going back to reading books 2 & 3 in that series.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 20, 2025
“The greatest demonstration of love is giving. Liz Johnson, your novel has brought light to readers like me.
Reading Liz Johnson’s novels makes me want to grab a suitcase and travel to all the beautiful settlements in Prince Edward Island (PEI) province in Canada. The vivid description of the towns in PEI can create a longing to travel in a reader’s mind. Maybe readers can change their career and become like Lucretia Martin, the female protagonist in Liz Johnson’s Sometimes You Stay novel. Lucretia ‘Cretia’ Martin a is popular travel vlogger who experiences a mishap while on ‘workcation’ at North Rustico, PEI. The mishap involves the destruction of her working gears after falling into the sea.
Cretia is rescued by Joe Jr, a Newfoundland dog who has a mind of its own. What is meant to be a quick stay for this woman who can never settle at one place from childhood experience becomes a long stay. Liz Johnson’s novel is a testament to how God can make us question the stance we take in life, especially when He has something better for us. Cretia initially struggles with Finnagan ‘Finn’ Chaffrey, a special farmer whose dog rescued her and resists the tugs of finally settling down. Staying at the Red Door Inn does not help neither does Maria, the inn owner and her three adorable children. What further makes things difficult for Cretia is the developing feelings between her and Finn. In the end will Cretia love enough to give what she values most away? Liz Johnson’s novel delivers a poignant message worth thinking about for readers. I enjoyed reading this novel, Finn’s farm animals’ antics and names made me laugh and I liked how relatable the characters were especially Finn. Readers of Liz Johnson’s books will as always love the new novel of this author. For any new reader who wants to experience a novel that will shed light into your heart and make you laugh, this novel is worth considering.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion."
Reading Liz Johnson’s novels makes me want to grab a suitcase and travel to all the beautiful settlements in Prince Edward Island (PEI) province in Canada. The vivid description of the towns in PEI can create a longing to travel in a reader’s mind. Maybe readers can change their career and become like Lucretia Martin, the female protagonist in Liz Johnson’s Sometimes You Stay novel. Lucretia ‘Cretia’ Martin a is popular travel vlogger who experiences a mishap while on ‘workcation’ at North Rustico, PEI. The mishap involves the destruction of her working gears after falling into the sea.
Cretia is rescued by Joe Jr, a Newfoundland dog who has a mind of its own. What is meant to be a quick stay for this woman who can never settle at one place from childhood experience becomes a long stay. Liz Johnson’s novel is a testament to how God can make us question the stance we take in life, especially when He has something better for us. Cretia initially struggles with Finnagan ‘Finn’ Chaffrey, a special farmer whose dog rescued her and resists the tugs of finally settling down. Staying at the Red Door Inn does not help neither does Maria, the inn owner and her three adorable children. What further makes things difficult for Cretia is the developing feelings between her and Finn. In the end will Cretia love enough to give what she values most away? Liz Johnson’s novel delivers a poignant message worth thinking about for readers. I enjoyed reading this novel, Finn’s farm animals’ antics and names made me laugh and I liked how relatable the characters were especially Finn. Readers of Liz Johnson’s books will as always love the new novel of this author. For any new reader who wants to experience a novel that will shed light into your heart and make you laugh, this novel is worth considering.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion."
May 28, 2025
Mercy! I think my toes are permanently crimped from all the toe-curling romantical moments in this story. Swoonable from start to finish — even though the meet-cute was anything but cute! Totally funny and kinda embarrassing though. And I love the way Joe Jr. saved the day! Bwahahaha!
Poor Finn. He’s way out of his element from the moment he meets Cretia and his discombobulated state doesn’t ease up any time soon. Conflicted is the word of the day for these two because of personal histories and the whole location issue. Cretia travels the world for her job, after all and Finn is rooted in the deep red soil of his PEI farm where he breeds and trains search and rescue Newfoundland dogs (eeeeppp, one of my favourite breeds!) And collects an assorted menagerie of rescue animals. Happy sigh, Farmer Finn is my kind of hero.
This opposites attract romance is so achingly tender and full of emotion. It’s sweet and funny but when the sizzle starts to spark, watch out, sensitive readers might feel a little singed around the edges! Love the balance between lighthearted moments and the deep soul-searching ones. Finn and Cretia both have to come to terms with their pasts in order to be free to create a future together. This is a bit of a redemption story for both of them.
Love that we get glimpses of what life is like at the Red Door Inn since Marie (Red Door Inn heroine) takes Cretia in when she finds herself stranded after an unfortunate occurrence (the aforementioned meet-cute.) And the familiar small town community vibe adds warmth and grace to the story. Reading ‘Sometimes You Stay’ felt very much like a homecoming. Cozy and comforting and so, so satisfying!
I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Kelli Tager. She did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Would definitely recommend the audio edition to discerning listeners.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/05/28/s...
Poor Finn. He’s way out of his element from the moment he meets Cretia and his discombobulated state doesn’t ease up any time soon. Conflicted is the word of the day for these two because of personal histories and the whole location issue. Cretia travels the world for her job, after all and Finn is rooted in the deep red soil of his PEI farm where he breeds and trains search and rescue Newfoundland dogs (eeeeppp, one of my favourite breeds!) And collects an assorted menagerie of rescue animals. Happy sigh, Farmer Finn is my kind of hero.
This opposites attract romance is so achingly tender and full of emotion. It’s sweet and funny but when the sizzle starts to spark, watch out, sensitive readers might feel a little singed around the edges! Love the balance between lighthearted moments and the deep soul-searching ones. Finn and Cretia both have to come to terms with their pasts in order to be free to create a future together. This is a bit of a redemption story for both of them.
Love that we get glimpses of what life is like at the Red Door Inn since Marie (Red Door Inn heroine) takes Cretia in when she finds herself stranded after an unfortunate occurrence (the aforementioned meet-cute.) And the familiar small town community vibe adds warmth and grace to the story. Reading ‘Sometimes You Stay’ felt very much like a homecoming. Cozy and comforting and so, so satisfying!
I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Kelli Tager. She did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Would definitely recommend the audio edition to discerning listeners.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/05/28/s...
April 25, 2025
3.5 stars
"Trust him? She barely knew his name. And that he had kids. And that he had a dog the size of a boat."
Cretia Martin's life as a digital content creator was going just fine, thank you very much. She was traveling the world, convincing others to follow her lead, and getting paid to do it. . . . until one little trip and fall landed her (and all of her electronics) in the waters of North Rustico Harbour along the shores of Prince Edward Island. Cold, dripping wet and sporting a mildly sprained ankle (remember the "trip" in the fall?) it seemed that Cretia was at the mercy of an islander and his dog (who had literally fished her out of the water). Fortunately the handsome native, who introduced himself as Finn Chaffey, knew people with extra rooms, and before she knew it, Cretia was cozily ensconced around the kitchen table in the Red Door Inn.
As it turned out, Finn was practically the only person within walking distance who owned a computer trustworthy enough for Cretia to use . . . . (cue big sigh), she had to replace every single one of her devices. And the wait time? She could not even think about it . . . . (ugh) . . . . possibly weeks. For the first time in a long time Cretia might be forced to stay in one place for more than three or four days. Plus, (or it could be a minus, depending on . . ) it meant spending time with the handsome dog breeder and his menagerie of rescue animals.
With all the sweet enchantment of a romantic holiday movie, this story opens with a character who cannot wait to leave and closes with a character who desperately longs to stay . . . . as we all know, life is rarely as simple as that. . . . . especially when it comes to traveling home.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"Trust him? She barely knew his name. And that he had kids. And that he had a dog the size of a boat."
Cretia Martin's life as a digital content creator was going just fine, thank you very much. She was traveling the world, convincing others to follow her lead, and getting paid to do it. . . . until one little trip and fall landed her (and all of her electronics) in the waters of North Rustico Harbour along the shores of Prince Edward Island. Cold, dripping wet and sporting a mildly sprained ankle (remember the "trip" in the fall?) it seemed that Cretia was at the mercy of an islander and his dog (who had literally fished her out of the water). Fortunately the handsome native, who introduced himself as Finn Chaffey, knew people with extra rooms, and before she knew it, Cretia was cozily ensconced around the kitchen table in the Red Door Inn.
As it turned out, Finn was practically the only person within walking distance who owned a computer trustworthy enough for Cretia to use . . . . (cue big sigh), she had to replace every single one of her devices. And the wait time? She could not even think about it . . . . (ugh) . . . . possibly weeks. For the first time in a long time Cretia might be forced to stay in one place for more than three or four days. Plus, (or it could be a minus, depending on . . ) it meant spending time with the handsome dog breeder and his menagerie of rescue animals.
With all the sweet enchantment of a romantic holiday movie, this story opens with a character who cannot wait to leave and closes with a character who desperately longs to stay . . . . as we all know, life is rarely as simple as that. . . . . especially when it comes to traveling home.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
June 7, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cretia Martin rose to fame as a digital content creator. As an expert in adventure, she has made her bread and butter educating the inexperienced traveler with tips and tricks she has picked along the way. To the untrained eye, Cretia’s life appears picture perfect, but she is hiding a dark secret from her followers.
Finn Chaffey has recently taken over his family business, breeding dogs on Prince Edward Island (PEI). He assumed the transition would go smoothly with all of his experience. Unfortunately, money is proving to be his biggest hurdle. Unwilling to ask for help, he is desperate to keep the business afloat.
An accidental run-in between Cretia, Finn, and one of his dogs results in her getting stranded on PEI. After forming an unlikely bond, their friendship quickly escalates into something deeper. Will the prospect of a romantic relationship keep Cretia in one place, or will she run the first chance she gets?
Liz Johnson’s Sometimes You Stay is the second novel in her Red Door Inn Romance Series. This book has connections to her previous title, Meddling with Mistletoe. While both books are set on Prince Edward Island and contain many of the same side characters, readers can choose to read them as standalone novels.
As a fan of contemporary Christian romances, I am no stranger to Liz Johnson’s work. I can always count on her to deliver a compelling story with overarching themes of faith. This book drove home the need to surrender fear.
Both Cretia and Finn were sidelined by fear. In fact, their character arcs revolved entirely around their debilitating fear of the future. It wasn’t until they relinquished their future to the Lord that they were able to break free of the bonds that imprisoned them.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Revell, and Liz Johnson for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cretia Martin rose to fame as a digital content creator. As an expert in adventure, she has made her bread and butter educating the inexperienced traveler with tips and tricks she has picked along the way. To the untrained eye, Cretia’s life appears picture perfect, but she is hiding a dark secret from her followers.
Finn Chaffey has recently taken over his family business, breeding dogs on Prince Edward Island (PEI). He assumed the transition would go smoothly with all of his experience. Unfortunately, money is proving to be his biggest hurdle. Unwilling to ask for help, he is desperate to keep the business afloat.
An accidental run-in between Cretia, Finn, and one of his dogs results in her getting stranded on PEI. After forming an unlikely bond, their friendship quickly escalates into something deeper. Will the prospect of a romantic relationship keep Cretia in one place, or will she run the first chance she gets?
Liz Johnson’s Sometimes You Stay is the second novel in her Red Door Inn Romance Series. This book has connections to her previous title, Meddling with Mistletoe. While both books are set on Prince Edward Island and contain many of the same side characters, readers can choose to read them as standalone novels.
As a fan of contemporary Christian romances, I am no stranger to Liz Johnson’s work. I can always count on her to deliver a compelling story with overarching themes of faith. This book drove home the need to surrender fear.
Both Cretia and Finn were sidelined by fear. In fact, their character arcs revolved entirely around their debilitating fear of the future. It wasn’t until they relinquished their future to the Lord that they were able to break free of the bonds that imprisoned them.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Revell, and Liz Johnson for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews.
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