I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always excited to read books that take place on Prince Edward Island, so I was very excited when I got approved to read this book. It took a few chapters for me to really get into the book, but I ended up really enjoying it!

I normally love Liz's books but with this one I didn't like the heroine and I think it's because she's a digital creator . But I did like the secondary characters and the hero. As well as the setting.

Such a sweet falling-in-love story! Two total opposites grow together in the beautifully remote setting of Prince Edward Island (which is on my bucket list to visit!). Finn and Cretia both have struggles that are proving difficult to overcome, but their developing relationship with each other provides encouragement and support, as well as the local friends that are just as giving as Finn is. At first I didn't really understand why Finn and Cretia were having a hard time, but as layers are revealed, it's easier to have compassion for them and root for them to find a way through the obstacles to make a happily-ever-after together.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Sometimes You Stay is the second book I have read by Liz Johnson and the second installment in the Red Door Inn Romance series. You do not need to read the first book in the series; you could read this as a stand-alone. But you will not be disappointed if you choose to read Meddling with Mistletoe. Sometimes You Stay was such a cute Hallmark vibes story that it was the perfect read.

The character development was great. Cretia was such a fun character to get to know. Her mom is a hoarder, and she has swung the opposite to counteract. With Cretia’s whole life in a suitcase and backpack, she has become scared to stay anywhere and put down roots. Which works perfectly with her influencer job. Finn is very focused on trying to expand the family business to make his dad proud. Due to a misunderstanding, he is hard on himself and needs to overcome these issues and learn to let others help him.
The Newfie dogs also played a role and cannot be left out. Joe Jr. is such a big, goofy dog. I loved the role that he got to play. The whole crew of dogs was such a fun dynamic.

The setting is perfect. I have always loved Prince Edward Island. I always dreamed of living there one day, and though I don’t, I did come close. Having a story that takes place in PEI was so fun. I enjoyed the small-town East Coast island town. The storyline was perfect. From the first big splash, I was sucked into this story. Watching Cretia struggle her way without her electronics. Learning to let others help her when she was without her stuff. Watching Finn open up and show his true side was sweet. His love for helping others and animals was perfect.

This opposites-attract romance is the perfect no-spice, kisses-only romance. It is perfect and sweet, with the perfect level of swoon.

Liz Johnson did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. I

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Talk about an unexpected way to meet someone! This author nailed it! Actually, she nailed a lot of things, if you happen to like novel settings, unusual occupations, yummy kisses written in a clean way, likable character who show personal growth, and challenging, changing thoughts based on faith! Creatia is visiting Prince Edward Island when she finds herself tumbling into the water there! Finn had been trying to manage his big dog, who happened to be trained to rescue, and did. Finn would have jumped in, if needed, but did carry her to safety and warmth .Creatia is a popular online creator, but all of her electronics are lost or ruined by the water. Therefore, she is forced to stay at the Red Door Inn until she can receive replacements. She visits neighboring Finn, who is training dogs and takes in unwanted animals at his farm. While they are worlds apart in occupations, they grow to appreciate each other. I highly recommend this book!
I have read all the books in this series and appreciate being offered the opportunity by the publishers to read this one. The views expressed are my own.

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.

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!

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson is a sweet romance that weaves in faith, love and wonderful characters to make an amazing story. Finn has a farm where he raises Newfoundland dogs, and Cretia is a traveling influencer who travels around the world.

Finn and Cretia are two people you will want to get to know, and the contrast of their lives will make you smile. I loved watching them grow and change with the help of each other, their faith, and the sweet community surrounding them. I was so engaged in the story, the character’s lives, and loved the magical setting of Prince Edward Island.

I enjoyed reading Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson and highly recommend This is the perfect read for summer days.
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

"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 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.

From a disastrous meet-cute to one of my favorite epilogues this year, Sometimes You Stay is a welcome return to Prince Edward Island and Liz Johnson’s beloved Red Door Inn series. Complete with the quirky disaster known as a Newfoundland named Joe Jr., I quickly fell in love with Finn and his motley menagerie and adorable puppies. It’s no wonder that globe-trotting Cretia with her deep-seated fears of attachment and belongings is tempted for the first time to think about the possibility of staying somewhere longer than a week.

As Cretia deals with her fears of turning into her mother, Finn also struggles with wanting to succeed on his own, never asking for help. But the character growth in this story gives it such depth because both of them are able to realize all they’ve been missing out on due to their misconceptions and fear. And the romance is adorable too! Nice to see some old friends from the original series, but if you haven’t read them you won’t feel lost in any way.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.

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.

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.

This was a great story about a traveling blogger who gets stuck in a small town in Canada only to find that handsome stranger who is her complete opposite in almost every way is captivated her attention. The attraction between Cretia and Finn is undeniable as the two spend more time together, at first to help her regain her footing after losing so many of her items and then as the two spend time side-by-side together on his property, tending to his many animals. These two begin to see a side of each other that neither has shared with others and they quickly realize the bond and similarities between them is growing into something more than friendship. But with the threat of her, moving on and traveling to other places on the horizon, these two have to decide if fighting for a happily ever after is more important than the other goals that they have set for themselves and challenge their idea of what they thought their future would always look like.

This was a great and entertaining story. I did feel like it was slow in the middle, but I felt like the ending was a satisfying conclusion and a super sweet way to bring the romance together. The setting of the story was sweet and thoroughly enjoyable to read about, and I loved the cast of characters in this small town who supported Finn and Cretia and helped them along their journey.

Many thanks to Revell and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this story, all opinions are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
🐾 forced proximity
🐾 memorable meet cute
🐾 dogs and rescue animals
🐾 Prince Edward Island setting
🐾 slow burn romance

Content: mention of past parental neglect and hoarding

Digital nomad Cretia Martin is used to packing light and moving fast—until a mishap lands her on Prince Edward Island without her gear. Stranded but not alone, she finds unexpected comfort in local dog breeder Finn Chaffey…and the charming Red Door Inn. As she helps him rebuild, she wonders if home might be a heart thing after all.

Oh hi there, Farmer Finn 😏 Do you plow fields with that jawline, or… Liz Johnson has a way of making sweet romances get your heart pumping. I’m still swooning over his toe-curling obsession with kissing Cretia.

This is a feel-good comfort read with a little inner-conflict angst as Cretia tries to reconcile that it’s okay to find a place to call home. While I love that that home is Farmer Finn, there’s no better place for him to reside than Prince Edward Island.

I grew up in the Canadian Maritimes, but there’s still something deeply nostalgic about PEI for everyone—salty breezes, red dirt roads, and that warm, small-town familiarity that wraps around you like a favorite book.
If you're looking for a cozy, wholesome feel of romance, you’ll love sinking your toes PEI’s red dirt along with Cretia.

Thank you @revellfiction for book

Perfect for you if you like:
Dogs and petting animals
Finding home in a person
Unpacking family baggage

Similar to:
The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson
Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham
So Into You by Kathleen Fuller

⛔️closed door romance (kisses only)
⚠️hoarding parent, fear of parental disappointment

Sometimes You Stay is a super adorable and light-hearted read in my opinion. I dove right into this one and it ended up being a really leisurely and enjoyable read for me. I really admired our main female character being a content creator - I myself love creating content for fun - so I thought this was a fun aspect in general! I also enjoyed the character relationship dynamics, and the way that this story felt character-driven. The small town setting was also right up my alley! Plus, did I mention…cute dogs?!
Overall, this was a sweet and clean Christian romance with an admirable story line packed full of goodness.

Thank you Netgalley and Revell Fiction for an eArc!

Cretia Martin, a travel content creator, and Finn Chaffey, a dog breeder, meet and fall in love in this charming romantic story set on Prince Edward Island.

I enjoyed the small town charm, the cozy setting of the Red Door Inn, the sweet townspeople (especially Julia Mae!), and the vivid descriptions of PEI's scenery.

However, I thought the romance moved too fast, and I didn't connect with either of our main characters. Maybe there was too little showing of how they built their relationship to justify the ending. I didn't get to know Cretia or Finn well, and didn't believe the story trajectory.

I quite liked the message the story tried to tell though, about finding a home, and a place to put down roots.

The Red Door Inn series is a special one. It is similar to Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor series style with a new focus and people each time while having some mainstays through the whole series. I love that.

Finn and Cretia are both very likeable and relatable. It was so fun seeing Finn's animals through Cretia's eyes. I liked that they enjoyed working together and didn't have a ton of angst about it all. I learned more about animal rescues and content creation. It was a lovely book that made me want to go visit Prince Edward Island.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’m not sure I read the same book that everyone else did. I found the MMC undesirable, irritating and in the beginning, just flat out rude. I wanted to be invested in the story but there was never a point that I even cared a little bit. I didn’t make a connection to either character. Also the repeating of the word “electronics” was enough to make me dock a star. Two stars though because it is closed door and I like the dog.

This was a sweet story! Loved the context, the animals and the simple vibes of it.

I did think it moved a bit quick when it came to the romance, but it seems like that was the point. I liked that the fmc was open and honest when the mmc had questions. I think the development of the characters was good with it being short and quick.

I think the whole animal vibes MADE the book.

Overall I think it was a good book, but I can see that there could be so much more growth with the writing!