Photo from Goodreads.com

About the book:

My Review:

I have to admit something- I was not sure about this book, and that was mainly because of the cover.

 Yes, the photo is perfect for the story setting and it's a well-taken photo and all that, but it just doesn't capture my interest. It doesn't scream, "Read me!!!" and so the main reason I chose to actually pick up the book was because I had read an excerpt of it, and I also knew Liz Johnson had written some good things in the past. 

Well, turns out that Beyond the Tides is probably my favorite of Liz Johnson's novels yet! I am so, so glad I didn't listen to my inner cover critic and bypass this book. 

Oliver and Meg start out not as friends, but more as enemies. Slowly, their relationship morphs into partnership, friendship, and then, quite possibly, something even more... I loved how these two progressed and changed over the course of the book!  Their banter was so fun, and I loved every interaction they had. 

Meg can come across as detached and cold sometimes, and as an introvert, I can totally relate to that. I love how Oliver just sort of ignores that to try and get to know the person she is underneath (I kind of may have a small crush on the guy....). 

The two also have some very realistic family problems. Meg's mom is losing her mobility and memory from an unknown illness. Oliver's father left him at a young age, and he's been dealing with the scars ever since. Life is messy and can't be wrapped up in a pretty bow, and I like how Liz Johnson deals with these issues. 

That excerpt for book 2 at the end really whet my appetite for the continuation of the series- I can't wait to see what happens next! 

I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.