Liz Johnson (1)

“We do hard things for the people we love.” “Speak life. Each person had the power to speak life or death.”

I adored this book! Summer in the Spotlight is the first full length novel I’ve read by Liz Johnson and won’t be my last. I’ve always loved Prince Edward Island because of its association with Anne of Green Gables. So, when I learned of this sweet romance set there, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn’t realize it was the third book in the series, but that show more didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying it. I easily dove right in and loved every minute of it. It’s a slow burn, second chance, gentle romance with endearing characters and a touch of faith that’ll tug on your heartstrings.

Kelsey Ahern has a fear of blood, a love of theater, and a burning desire to honor her grandmother’s legacy. When damage from a hurricane destroys the community theater she grew up performing in and her teaching job, she teams up with the quiet, handsome high school facilities director whom she’s always secretly admired to put on a benefit show to rebuild the theater.

Levi Ross learned at a young age to keep his mouth shut. Still reeling from when his abusive father left, he’s stayed firmly in his shell, admiring Kelsey from afar for years, and only speaking when necessary. He’s gorgeously handsome, highly intelligent, creative, and handy in any kind of building project or emergency. When he comes to Kelsey’s aid during the hurricane, his world gets turned upside down when he agrees to help her with the show and finally gets the chance to develop a relationship with the outgoing Kelsey. But, when a slick weatherman comes to town and the show they’ve been preparing is in danger, he has to choose whether to give into fear or speak up.

I loved Kelsey and Levi! Both had fears and past hurts holding them back. I loved the way they helped each other work through those tough things. Levi is such a thoughtful, empathetic man. I enjoyed his mentoring a young boy named Dustin, his steady hand in an emergency, and the way he gives Kelsey the wings to fly. He’s one of those quiet, unsung, wounded heroes you just need to hug. I loved Kelsey too. She’s the perfect match for Levi and helps him get out of his shell. I loved her energy, enthusiasm, and sweet personality. Their first kiss was amazing!

Loved the beautiful, slow burn romance, the fun side characters like the town’s lovable busybody, and the whole premise of the story. I quickly fell in love with the town and now can’t wait to go back and pick up the previous books. There’s a bit of suspense towards the end when several things collide to threaten the show. The ending is fantastic and I especially enjoyed the epilogue.

Highly recommend the audiobook version! The narrator is Canadian and I loved hearing that subtle Canadian accent. She voices both Levi and Kelsey perfectly along with all the other characters. She really made this book come alive and I enjoyed her performance.

If you enjoy contemporary romance with a touch of faith, I highly recommend this book. Though part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily given. show less

Tinsel, Vermont: a small town guaranteed to be free of paparazzi. That's where Charlotte, also known as Charlie, has been running a hardware store for the past eight years, away from bright lights. Andrew, a prince running away from tabloid headlines, comes seeking peace in Tinsel, but he thinks the paparazzi may have tracked him down in A Royal Wonderland by author Liz Johnson.

Well! I'm a hard sell when it comes to contemporary romance, but I love Christmas, and I was in a mood that could show more do a common theme for cheesy holiday flicks: a prince from an imaginary European country meeting an everyday woman in America.

Only, as it turns out, this novella isn't cheesy. I mean, it's got a hint of Christmas corn, but it isn't a sappy, simplistic, or shallow read. It's sweet and passionate with likable characters who've got believable motives. There are humorous moments and serious backstory events, and the prince isn't just some royal rich guy, there to solve a small-town woman's problems with fairy-tale magic. Andrew has a governmental mission that means something, and Charlie has an important inward journey to make.

That isn't to say this read has no fairy-tale flavor, because it does—pouring it on a little thick toward the end but keeping that part short, so again, not becoming cheesy. This novella satisfied my Christmas craving for sure, more than I expected it would. show less

Liz Johnson handles a very difficult topic with delicate foreshadowing and discretion. By focusing on the shattering results of the crime instead of the commission of the crime, she makes the main character hugely sympathetic. I enjoyed watching the main character develop and overcome, not all at once, but inch by inch and without it seeming like a foregone conclusion.
Her romantic interest, on the other hand, seemed completely unreasonable. He made a snap decision and stuck with it. I'm show more glad she liked him, because I never got around to it.
However, I was delighted at how the author wove in an unconventional means of communication for the romantic leads, deftly tucking it into the story as a natural occurrence and then leveraging it later. show less

"Perhaps love means facing the hardships together. For life is not easy, and he has a terrible burden to bear. I wish to help him carry it. I wish to help him make peace and see him returned to the fullness of joy."

Such a delightful and enchanting story of lost treasure, finding faith and love during the lowest of times, and rallying for the downtrodden. Liz Johnson has a way of creating romantic and breath-taking backdrops and plots filled with quirky, memorable, and down-to-earth show more characters attempting to heal from brokenness. This is book 3 in the Georgia Coast Romance series set in Savannah, GA but can be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy well-written contemporary romance, this book will enthrall you. It really does dazzle like diamonds!

There is another diary and letters that are involved in this plot. This time the diary and letters belong to Tucker's ancestors from the Civil War era that could possibly lead him to find a lost treasure to help fund his run for county sheriff and also clear his family's name that has been smeared. Tucker is smart, loyal, compassionate, and driven but suffers from poor self-image and feels that he always has to prove himself to be worthy. Penelope is a fun, joyful, vivacious woman who thrives on lists and organization but she, too, has suffered a blow to her heart and ego when her ex-fiance left her at the altar. Tucker and Penelope (PJ) have been best friends forever and it takes this dive into the past to salvage the future that brings them together. Their friendship and love for each other is so genuine and their romance, despite hiccups and naysayers, is incredibly sweet. I really appreciated that their relationship wasn't the typical one best friend carrying the torch for the other but they gradually realized each other's potential as more than friends. As much as I loved Tucker and Penelope, Tucker's aunt Shirley totally stole the show. Her maturity, knowledge of family history, unconditional love, and sage advice brought the plot and characters together seamlessly. There is forgiveness, reconciliation, letting go of fear, and finding true worth embedded into each character and subplot. This book is a must-read for your summer!

I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. show less