The Last Way Home

The uplifting second entry in Johnson’s Prince Edward Island Shores series (after Beyond the Tides) follows a prodigal son as he tries to make amends with his family. Eli Ross returns to Victoria, Canada, after his 11-year stint in the NHL ends in scandal. He wants to make up for losing touch with his mother and brothers, but the consequences of the shady dealings that got him ousted from the league follow him home. Violet Donaghy, the protégé of Eli’s mother and a partner in her pottery shop, remains wary of Eli because of the anguish he caused his mother, though Violet carries secrets of her own that close her off from others. After an electrical fire nearly destroys the pottery shop, Violet reluctantly agrees to let Eli help rebuild and sell the remaining inventory to cover repair bills. As the two grow closer, they confide in each other and realize that God is “not afraid of your jagged edges.” The secrets that Eli and Violet carry lead to deeply affecting moments of confession and heartache, and the chemistry between the couple makes this hard to put down. This testament to the power of family and God’s forgiveness will have readers eager to see what Johnson does next. (Aug.)