Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

 

I think it's safe to say I have a soft spot for anything Liz Johnson writes nestled onto the shores of P.E.I. Between her ability to capture the unique charm and quirks of small town life as well as the ability to craft characters who feel like people you could meet in everyday life, I know Johnson will deliver a satisfying story.

In Beyond The Tides readers are invited into the annual lobster hunt with the crew of the Pinch a fishing boat run by Whitaker. But with Whitaker's wife facing an unknown illness and time running short, he opts to sell his license and boat to whoever proves themselves over the season: his previously uninterested daughter Meg or his crew member Oliver who irrevocably altered Meg's life in a moment of high school anger.

I really enjoyed this book . . .  like read it all in a night enjoyed. Johnson's eye for detail is fantastic and really helps with the immersion as she paints her scenes for readers. I couldn't help but chuckle as the crew downed their Tim's in the morning, or sympathize with Meg and Oliver as they navigated the rumour mill of a small town. 

Johnson has a wonderful subplot for Meg and her Mom about making memories but Johnson also excels at this as she gives her readers sunrises at dawn, nights on the boat, and walks on the beach. She can craft a stand out moment without it feeling out of place in the overall weave of the story and I appreciate that skill in an author.

The leads in this particular novel I found to be quite solid. Meg's confusion and wrestling as she sought to find some stability in her changing world was well written, and I love how her character arc not only showed growth but stays true to the character originally introduced. Johnson introduces some sensitive topics with her characters like loss of a parent, career instability, etc. but the characters responded in a way that made sense with how they were written allowing the story to ebb and flow as they grew.

Oliver was a solid counter to Meg throughout the story as he wrestled through his own losses and responsibilities. I appreciated Johnson ability to counter and compare similar struggles in Oliver and Meg's lives without making it feel to matchy.

As for the romance, I definitely appreciated Johnson's pacing throughout the book, with Meg and Oliver providing an excellent story. But, I also very much appreciated the romance element present within Meg's parents story. To see the love and romance present, for better or for worse, was a lovely touch and a beautiful story even if it was just in the background.

4.5 out of 5 stars.  

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