Christmas at the Red Door Inn (Liz Johnson) – Review

~ About the Book ~

One blizzard. Two friends. Three days to fall in love.

Lifelong islander Brooke Kane doesn’t know what to do with her college degree, her dreams, or her future, but she knows better than to venture far from home when there’s a storm brewing. But a promise to check on Rose’s Red Door Inn prompts Brooke to venture out. By the time she arrives at the inn, the snow is knee-deep and visibility almost non-existent. She settles in to spend a few days alone at the inn until a familiar figure appears at the door.

Pastor Chuck O’Flannigan has never felt like a bigger fool. So focused on his recent decision to leave Prince Edward Island, he’s caught unaware by the blizzard while on a walk. He can only see the inn’s red door, a promise of safety. But when he discovers that Brooke—the only woman who could tempt him to stay on the island—is also taking refuge there, he knows he’s in trouble.

With Christmas only three days away, Brooke is determined that they’ll celebrate—even if it’s just the two of them. Happy to play Scrooge to her Tiny Tim, Chuck wiles away his hours dreaming of a return to Ireland—praying that God may have plans for him there. After all, God seems to have forgotten him in North Rustico. But as Brooke brings Christmas to life, her joy makes him wonder if God may not have forgotten him. In fact, God may have big plans for both of them—if they can only survive Christmas at the Red Door Inn.

Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Series:  Prince Edward Island Dreams (novella)
Release date:  18 November 2018
Pages:  69
Publisher:  Independent

Amazon US  //  Amazon AU  //  Goodreads

~ Excerpt ~

    “Father Chuck? Chuck? Can you hear me?”
    That voice. He knew that voice. And it made his heart do a wild step dance.
    Lifting his hand, he reached to brush Brook’s away. “M’okay.” Actually, he wasn’t completely sure of that. But he figured he was. Even if his teeth refused to stop chattering. If his brain was working and he could move his limbs, he couldn’t be seriously injured.
    Just stupid as the day was long.
    “You’re freezing. Here, let me get you near a vent.” A quick tug on his arm managed to move him barely an inch. Not surprising given Brooke’s size. And he didn’t have anything in him to help her. “It can’t be good for you to stay in your wet clothes. Can you stand?”
    “In a m-m-mintue.”
    He could feel her pull back, which was not what he wanted, even if it might be what was best. Swallowing against the tremors still rolling through his body, he managed to get his eyes open. When his gaze met her ocean blue ones, a bolt of lightning coursed through his veins. It was surely strong enough to melt the snow still caked to his jeans. But there was no sign of steam.
    Not that he could look away from her.
    Which wasn’t terribly unusual. She didn’t have to do or say a thing, and he was completely entranced. Just Brooke Kane with her sweet smile and bibrant eyes and all that life she exuded as she bounced around North Rustico. She was brighter than the summer sun and three times as lovely.
    And always out of bounds.

~ Review ~

The Red Door Inn works its magic again! This is a sweet little Christmas treat for fans of the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. Or even just for fans of short’n’sweet Christmas romances, because you really don’t have to have read any of the other books in the series to enjoy this one.

Some people need a helpful nudge to get things moving in the right direction, and being snowed in together—and alone—at the Red Door Inn is a pretty definite nudge for Brooke and Chuck. A ten-year age gap has caused each to believe the other would only laugh at any suggestion of a romantic relationship between them, but their guards gradually lower as they work together to make a Christmas for themselves in spite of their situation. Really, it would be impossible for two hearts so ready to love each other not to overflow when given the chance, and the overflow is pretty sweet!

Of course, there’s a little catch, but I love the lesson Chuck learns here. How often do we pray to God with our own solution in mind, all the while missing the answer that’s right under our nose?

A sweet Christmas novella that hits all the right notes.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

~ Other Books in the Series ~

Read my review for The Red Door Inn or Where Two Hearts Meet. 

~ About the Author ~

By day Liz Johnson is the marketing director for a radio network. She finds time to write late at night and is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Tucson, AZ, where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings.

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