Liz Johnson offers up a delightful tale of love and loss — set in Canada’s beautiful and amazing Prince Edward Island — in “The Red Door Inn.”
Marie Carrington is deeply hurting after a devastating event in her life. And even though she is the heir to a multi-million dollar real estate conglomeration in Boston, she finds herself penniless and running away to Prince Edward Island, the land of Anne of Green Gables and Marie’s childhood dreams.
On her journey she meets Jack Sloane, who is trying to open a bed and breakfast in honor of his late wife, and his nephew, Seth, who is trying to get over his own heartbreak.
What follows is a lovely tale from the land of red dirt and that beloved orphan Anne. I personally loved visiting PEI, so was thrilled to read a series that takes place there.
Even though “The Red Door Inn” had a bit of a slow start for me — particularly in revealing the truth behind what may be construed as odd behavior by both Seth and Marie — Johnson’s novel was loaded with many heartwarming moments, as well as some more hard-hitting topics. She fills her novel with many truths like struggling between pain and finding joy, and dealing with betrayal versus trust. A main theme that threads throughout “The Red Door Inn” is the role of fathers —both earthly and heavenly — and their relationships with their children. Are they a source of pain or blessings for their children?
Johnson offers many delightful characters — including of course Marie and Seth, but readers will also adore the fatherly Jack, antique dealer Aretha Franklin (no relation to the singer, of course) and Caden Holt, baker extraordinaire.
“The Red Door Inn” is the type of book that makes you sigh in contentment when finished, and make you wish, just a little bit, that you could stay a night at the Red Door Inn.
Four and a half stars out of five.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
“The Red Door Inn” (Prince Edward Island Dreams series, #1) by Liz Johnson