Quick sweet read about a travel vlogger finding a home when she accidentally falls for a dog breeder in rural Prince Edward Island. What I loved: the sweet spark between Cretia and Finn, the hilarious Joe Jr., the animals Finn kept bringing home.

What I didn't love: The mild Christian themes throughout the book. Though not overt and in-your-face, they were hard to ignore. I didn't realize this was the case from the book description.

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson is a cute Christian romance. Beautiful setting, hot farmer and a nomadic content creator come together to make an lovely light-hearted story. However, there are also lessons on healing from trauma and family issues. An enjoyable read overall.
I got the ARC from Revell via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

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.

Welcome again to the Red Door Inn. Liz Johnson takes you back to Prince Edward Island. Where we are introduced to some old characters and some new.

Cretia Martin is a creative travel blogger who travels the world and posts about places, food and people. When all of her tools and worldly possessions lands in the harbor, she is stuck on PEI until she can order replacements. Meeting dog breeder Finn Chaffey and Joe Jr., the rescue newfoundland dog, brings a new light to Cretia. She has no desire to plant down roots. But the longer she stays in town, she finds it harder to leave.

This is a clean engaging romance. Slowly blossoming. The characters are fun, both human and animals.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sometimes You Stay is a Red Door Inn romance. If you've read the author's previous Red Door Inn books, you may see a few familiar characters (and places), but this could absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

This was such a cute romance! Right from their fun meet cute, I was drawn into Finn and Cretia's story. They had a really sweet chemistry that made me smile throughout... despite their differences... her being a digital content creator and him being... well, let's just say he's not one to keep up with modern technology. That certainly added a bit of fun to their dynamic. Despite their chemistry, Cretia is only passing through and has no intentions of staying in one place due to issues from her childhood. Finn, on the other hand, doesn't plan to leave (and has his own insecurities he's working through). I loved seeing them work through those insecurities from their past--- and getting their unexpected chance at a happily ever after. If you enjoy Christian romance, this is certainly one to check out.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

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

This was a wonderful clean read. I loved just getting lost in this story after a long day. It was a perfect escape.

I highly recommend this book.

I wanted a light-hearted read and I got it with this book. Liz Johnson knows how to bring readers in and take them for a light-hearted ride through Prince Edward Island in Canada.

The major players are Cretia--a travel blogger who lives out of her suitcase (and all she owns is in that suitcase), and Finn--a dog breeder who takes in stray animals who need a place to light and land, but we also cannot forget Joe, Jr. the Newfie who rescues Cretia from the harbor.

There are lessons learned by both of the main characters, but the relationship grows organically and even though the romantic novel formula was followed--to a point, it didn't feel forced. There were inner conflicts to overcome, friendships to forge, and a litter of puppies to whelp.

There is a lot of humor, some angst, but a lot of longing on Finn's and Cretia's parts. Finn's biggest issue is getting Cretia to stay, and Cretia's is not wanting to be a burden to her new friends at the Red Door Inn or Finn. There are times you just gotta reach out of your comfort zone and Liz made this a book that reaches that point with these characters.

This is a strong Four-Star Book.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

“Sometimes You Stay” by Liz Johnson takes place on the lovely Prince Edward Island making it a must-add to your summer TBR list. Though part of a series, this book can easily be read as a stand alone. The book’s themes are on belonging and personal growth. The dynamics between Cretia and Finn is absolutely charming.
Thanks to NetGallery and Revell for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

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.

“She’d come to this island to share it with her followers. But some memories were only hers.”

I hadn’t read any of the other Red Door Inn books but I was initially drawn to the Canadian setting and the Christian tag. This was a summer Hallmark moving on paper.

The romance progressed akin to the idiots in love trope. There was a colourful ensemble cast (of humans and dogs!) to aid the story in a testament of how life isn’t meant to be lived alone.

I’ll be honest and admit I’d never read a Christian book like this. I enjoyed Cretia’s journey to faith and the examples of honest, biblical Christian love we see through Finn’s family and neighbours. I’ll definitely check out this author’s other books.

Thanks Revell for the advanced copy!