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On the Ferry to Skye
Eight summers. Two broken hearts.
One shocking truth.
It took eight summers for Avonlea Stewart to give her heart to her best friend but only moments for him to shatter it. In the wake of her heartbreak, she found herself facing a life-altering decision—one that drove her away from the Isle of Skye and the memories of her first love.
More than a decade later, the opportunity of a lifetime pulls her back to the place forever stitched into her soul. But returning means confronting the past—especially when the man she’s hidden it from is the first person she sees: her childhood best friend, her first love… the father of her child.
Jamie Murray loved Avonlea Stewart, but he realized it too late—after he’d already broken her heart. That mistake cost him more than their friendship; it cost him Scotland—the home he left behind, believing she’d moved on with someone else.
Years later, a devastating family situation calls him back, but the past he’s fought to forget is still there, waiting for him, because Avonlea’s back too. And facing her, and the life she built without him, is more than he can bear.
Stuck together under the same roof, Avonlea and Jamie are forced to face everything they lost—and the truth they once promised each other.
On the Ferry to Skye is book three in the Love Along the Way series. It showcases the resilience of young love, the strength of old love, and how true love always finds a way—so long as you’re willing to work for it.
One shocking truth.
It took eight summers for Avonlea Stewart to give her heart to her best friend but only moments for him to shatter it. In the wake of her heartbreak, she found herself facing a life-altering decision—one that drove her away from the Isle of Skye and the memories of her first love.
More than a decade later, the opportunity of a lifetime pulls her back to the place forever stitched into her soul. But returning means confronting the past—especially when the man she’s hidden it from is the first person she sees: her childhood best friend, her first love… the father of her child.
Jamie Murray loved Avonlea Stewart, but he realized it too late—after he’d already broken her heart. That mistake cost him more than their friendship; it cost him Scotland—the home he left behind, believing she’d moved on with someone else.
Years later, a devastating family situation calls him back, but the past he’s fought to forget is still there, waiting for him, because Avonlea’s back too. And facing her, and the life she built without him, is more than he can bear.
Stuck together under the same roof, Avonlea and Jamie are forced to face everything they lost—and the truth they once promised each other.
On the Ferry to Skye is book three in the Love Along the Way series. It showcases the resilience of young love, the strength of old love, and how true love always finds a way—so long as you’re willing to work for it.
407 pages, ebook
Published November 21, 2025
19 people are currently reading
5810 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Forde
4 books146 followersHi there! I’m J.A. Forde
Author of swoony romances full of real characters you can’t help but root for.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me with my nose stuck in a book... Or more realistically, you’ll find me chasing my two kids, spending time with my husband, and helping our household to thrive.
I am an avid reader though and adore the way I can get lost in a world outside my own every time I flip those pages.
I never thought I’d write a book. Never thought I’d have a story to tell. But lo and behold, here I am, and I have never loved an adventure more!
Author of swoony romances full of real characters you can’t help but root for.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me with my nose stuck in a book... Or more realistically, you’ll find me chasing my two kids, spending time with my husband, and helping our household to thrive.
I am an avid reader though and adore the way I can get lost in a world outside my own every time I flip those pages.
I never thought I’d write a book. Never thought I’d have a story to tell. But lo and behold, here I am, and I have never loved an adventure more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
August 27, 2025
I'm the author, so of course I absolutely adore this book! But in all truth, this is my favorite book I've written! I have always been a lover of second chance romances written in dual timeline, so writing one was an absolute dream! Actually it was super hard, but I still loved every minute! The emotion depth between Jamie and Avonlea is one of the best things I've ever created and I am so amazingly proud of this book and I hope you'll love it too when you get your hands on it!
December 3, 2025
Avonlea and Jamie’s story was a sweet one, told over years of summer breaks shared in the Isle of Skye. I loved that we got dual points of view, and we got to go back and forth in time. I have never wanted to travel to Scotland as much as I do after reading this book, the setting was described beautifully.
Read this if you love a good slow burn, second-chance, friends to lovers romance. And also read this if you want to go to Scotland with me 😌.
Read this if you love a good slow burn, second-chance, friends to lovers romance. And also read this if you want to go to Scotland with me 😌.
November 22, 2025
On the Ferry To Skye was the most beautiful second chance, childhood friends romance. Set in a small town in Ireland, this story whisked me away. The characters felt so real, I cried all the tears, and the found family was beyond heartwarming. If you love forced proximity, and epilogues that will leave you smiling, then this is your book!
The Isle of Skye held Avonlea’s dream job. And a new beginning for her and her son. Yet Jamie and their past from 10 years ago were there too. The animosity and hurt between them felt miles wild. Their emotions were so strong, it was impossible not to feel what they felt. But as each step was taken to fix their friendship, I loved how well they clicked. It felt so effortless for their friendship to reform. And the tension between them was electric. Except, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Avi’s son was Jamie’s. And he had no clue. And I couldn’t control the dread swirling in my stomach.
This story not only alternated between Jamie and Avi, but there were also sprinkles of their past too. They traveled to Skye to spend their summers with their grandparents, who lived next to each other. And from the moment they met when they were 10, they were the bestest of friends. With muddy tire swing adventures, to sitting on the roof and baring their souls, to the flour incident, they formed such a beautiful bond. As time went by and they grew older, their friendship started to change. And watching the beginnings of first love was breathtaking. But I desperately wanted to know where it all went wrong.
The past and present wove together so beautifully. It was impossible not to fall in love with them. And hurt with them too along the way. Jamie was so sweet and thoughtful, and Avi was so kindhearted and considerate. I adored both of them, but I’m going to be completely upfront….I didn’t know if I could forgive Avi. I cried so many sad and mad tears for Jamie. But here’s the thing, I fell in love with the past and present of Avi. I saw into her heart and soul. And sometimes people make mistakes, or the decisions they make at the time is the best they can do in that given moment. Nobody is perfect. This story portrays that perfectly. And how this was handled, especially with her son, completely won me over. I was cheering and rooting for all of their HEA’s. Each and every one of them deserved it so much.
On the Ferry to Skye made me cry so much. From hope to anger to my heart shattering to happiness, this story made me feel it all. And I have to say I absolutely loved Nox, Avi’s son! And Jamie’s grandparents too. The three of them gave this story so much heart! So with kisses, meddling grandparents, adorable kids, an author who wears glasses, and a single mom with a secret child, this story was all the stars. AND we got to see our favorites from the previous books and what they were up to! I want to talk about that, but just know you’ll be so happy!!! With flawless execution, this series easily became a top favorite! I can’t wait to see what Forde writes next!
Other Favorite Quotes:
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
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The memories bombard me in a torrent: this ferry, that island, the inn, my home, her .
The Isle of Skye held Avonlea’s dream job. And a new beginning for her and her son. Yet Jamie and their past from 10 years ago were there too. The animosity and hurt between them felt miles wild. Their emotions were so strong, it was impossible not to feel what they felt. But as each step was taken to fix their friendship, I loved how well they clicked. It felt so effortless for their friendship to reform. And the tension between them was electric. Except, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Avi’s son was Jamie’s. And he had no clue. And I couldn’t control the dread swirling in my stomach.
I have subconsciously compared the laugh of every woman I’ve been with to hers, and they never measure up. Never.
This story not only alternated between Jamie and Avi, but there were also sprinkles of their past too. They traveled to Skye to spend their summers with their grandparents, who lived next to each other. And from the moment they met when they were 10, they were the bestest of friends. With muddy tire swing adventures, to sitting on the roof and baring their souls, to the flour incident, they formed such a beautiful bond. As time went by and they grew older, their friendship started to change. And watching the beginnings of first love was breathtaking. But I desperately wanted to know where it all went wrong.
She saunters into the kitchen, her lithe hips swaying as she goes.
I squeeze my eyes shut and then open them only to see my grandparents watching me with knowing, conspiratorial smiles on their lips. Well, shit.
The past and present wove together so beautifully. It was impossible not to fall in love with them. And hurt with them too along the way. Jamie was so sweet and thoughtful, and Avi was so kindhearted and considerate. I adored both of them, but I’m going to be completely upfront….I didn’t know if I could forgive Avi. I cried so many sad and mad tears for Jamie. But here’s the thing, I fell in love with the past and present of Avi. I saw into her heart and soul. And sometimes people make mistakes, or the decisions they make at the time is the best they can do in that given moment. Nobody is perfect. This story portrays that perfectly. And how this was handled, especially with her son, completely won me over. I was cheering and rooting for all of their HEA’s. Each and every one of them deserved it so much.
“Don’t you miss this?” she asks, looking past me to Skye in the distance.
“Aye. Parts of it.” I’m only looking at her.
On the Ferry to Skye made me cry so much. From hope to anger to my heart shattering to happiness, this story made me feel it all. And I have to say I absolutely loved Nox, Avi’s son! And Jamie’s grandparents too. The three of them gave this story so much heart! So with kisses, meddling grandparents, adorable kids, an author who wears glasses, and a single mom with a secret child, this story was all the stars. AND we got to see our favorites from the previous books and what they were up to! I want to talk about that, but just know you’ll be so happy!!! With flawless execution, this series easily became a top favorite! I can’t wait to see what Forde writes next!
Other Favorite Quotes:
Hugging her… kissing her… everything we ever did felt like home, and I can’t deny that even this small moment when she’s letting me hold her feels that way.
Maybe we can be friends. And maybe it won’t be as tragic as it sounds, because no matter how much water is under the bridge with us… I’d happily let the current that is Avi take me wherever it wants to go.
I reach out and brush her knuckles with my fingers before I pull back, remembering I can’t just touch her because I want to.
She’s not mine to touch.
He chuckles, glancing down my body. I ignore the way it makes me feel… The heat, the butterflies— I can’t feel those things. I can’t.
It hurts so damn much.
But love is never perfect. It’s always messy. It’s always hard. It’s always work.
Even ours.
“It’s been a bit of an adventure, hasn’t it?” I ask, taking everyone in. “But what an incredible gift that we all found love along the way.”
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Bloglovin * Feedly
November 29, 2025
Another 3.5 read for me!!
I really enjoy JA’s writing, her stories are very easy to get into, has great story lines and wonderful settings! My one qualm with this book was the jump back and forth in time. That is 100% just a preference of mine and in no way should be a deterrent to reading this. I also wish we would have gotten more from Jamie and Nox’s interactions.
But overall, I recommend reading this one! It made me want to travel back to Scotland 😍
I really enjoy JA’s writing, her stories are very easy to get into, has great story lines and wonderful settings! My one qualm with this book was the jump back and forth in time. That is 100% just a preference of mine and in no way should be a deterrent to reading this. I also wish we would have gotten more from Jamie and Nox’s interactions.
But overall, I recommend reading this one! It made me want to travel back to Scotland 😍
September 2, 2025
Friends who love a book that brings you both joy and tears, heart-felt and heart-wrenching moments, swoon and …. Even more swoon? This book is for you! I loved all three books of the Love Along The Way series but this one, this one might be my top favorite. I think mainly for these reasons:
1) Jamie. Need I say more? Jamie is a dream and I imagined him with an incredible accent so that only made him hotter to me. He was sweet, caring, and even wrote books!!!!!! Team Jamie all the way!
2) The feels! My heart felt so much while reading a book and to me, that gets an automatic 5 star rating.
3) if you know me, you know I love sweet grandparent characters in a book (& in real life) The grandparents in this book made me so joyful and their story line was precious!
4) it takes place in a gorgeous area! I love a book that has a beautiful setting and wow, J.A. Forde painted such an incredible picture in this book. I mean, just look at that cover!!!!!
You’ll love this book if you too enjoy:
❤️🩹 Dual Timelines
❤️🩹 Second Chances
❤️🩹 He’s an author
❤️🩹 She’s a chef
❤️🩹 Single Mother
❤️🩹 He doesn’t know he’s the Dad 😱
❤️🩹 Sweet grandparents
❤️🩹 Dual POV
1) Jamie. Need I say more? Jamie is a dream and I imagined him with an incredible accent so that only made him hotter to me. He was sweet, caring, and even wrote books!!!!!! Team Jamie all the way!
2) The feels! My heart felt so much while reading a book and to me, that gets an automatic 5 star rating.
3) if you know me, you know I love sweet grandparent characters in a book (& in real life) The grandparents in this book made me so joyful and their story line was precious!
4) it takes place in a gorgeous area! I love a book that has a beautiful setting and wow, J.A. Forde painted such an incredible picture in this book. I mean, just look at that cover!!!!!
You’ll love this book if you too enjoy:
❤️🩹 Dual Timelines
❤️🩹 Second Chances
❤️🩹 He’s an author
❤️🩹 She’s a chef
❤️🩹 Single Mother
❤️🩹 He doesn’t know he’s the Dad 😱
❤️🩹 Sweet grandparents
❤️🩹 Dual POV
November 4, 2025
Thank you to JA Forde for the earc of On the Ferry to Skye!
Title: On the Ferry to Skye
Author: JA Forde
Genre: Romance (fade to black)
Pub Date: November 21, 2025-request at your library or get your preorders in now!
Format: paperback/ebook
Oh my heavens, Forde did it again. I absolutely LOVED this story. Jamie has my whole heart and I adored his character so very much. I think Avonlea and Jamie were a beautiful second chance romance. (((I am going to be messaging Forde nonstop for a novella...or full length novel about a certain couple though).
There were a few highlights that hit me so deeply in this season I am in that had nothing to do with romance for me, but everything to do with hope, reconciliation, and family. Further proof that romances are so so important and needed.
The epiloge had me tearing up and then wanting to go reread On a Flight to Sydney and just start the whole series over. <3 These books are such a comfort series for me, and I adore each couple + the side characters in the book.
Do yourself a favor and READ this series Because you might just fall in love with the characters and stories along the way. <3
Title: On the Ferry to Skye
Author: JA Forde
Genre: Romance (fade to black)
Pub Date: November 21, 2025-request at your library or get your preorders in now!
Format: paperback/ebook
Oh my heavens, Forde did it again. I absolutely LOVED this story. Jamie has my whole heart and I adored his character so very much. I think Avonlea and Jamie were a beautiful second chance romance. (((I am going to be messaging Forde nonstop for a novella...or full length novel about a certain couple though).
There were a few highlights that hit me so deeply in this season I am in that had nothing to do with romance for me, but everything to do with hope, reconciliation, and family. Further proof that romances are so so important and needed.
The epiloge had me tearing up and then wanting to go reread On a Flight to Sydney and just start the whole series over. <3 These books are such a comfort series for me, and I adore each couple + the side characters in the book.
Do yourself a favor and READ this series Because you might just fall in love with the characters and stories along the way. <3
November 17, 2025
J.A. Forde has gone and done it again! If you're looking for a second-chance romance that will keep you up reading all night, making you wish you could pause time to read more, this is the book for you! I didn’t think I could love another character more than Rori (On the Slopes of Tahoe, Jamie's best friend), but Avi is making it hard to choose! This book will have you swooning, kicking your feet, as well as screaming at the book because you wanna choke Jamie and Avi out for being dumb. Personally, I do not like the secret child trope, so I didn’t know what to expect, but for me, it was hard yet understandable from Avi’s POV. This book comes out right before Thanksgiving, and if you're looking for a “family”-style Hallmark book, I recommend this one!
November 19, 2025
This was cute. I’ve really enjoyed this series, all the characters are so likable. J.A. Forde is great at creating cozy, fun settings for her books. I loved that this one was set partly in Scotland. I did enjoy the characters. I had a hard time with the secret baby plot line, I think it lasted a bit too long for me. I really enjoyed the side characters as well, especially the grandparents. The romance was sweet. Overall, a really great romance series and I’m excited to see what else J.A. Forde writes.
November 18, 2025
I have loved this series so much and this was such a sweet conclusion!
Things I loved:
🏴 Scotland setting (dreamy)
⏳Dual POV flashbacks (engrossing)
🖤 Coming of age -> friends to lovers
🧑🧑🧒🧒 All the family dynamics
🥹 All the feels (def cried a couple times)
😍 Seeing characters from past books (so fun)
The only thing that kept this from a 5 star for me was the pacing from a conflict moment to HEA. But I was still teary and grinning by the end.
Thank you to the author for the chance to review an advance copy. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Things I loved:
🏴 Scotland setting (dreamy)
⏳Dual POV flashbacks (engrossing)
🖤 Coming of age -> friends to lovers
🧑🧑🧒🧒 All the family dynamics
🥹 All the feels (def cried a couple times)
😍 Seeing characters from past books (so fun)
The only thing that kept this from a 5 star for me was the pacing from a conflict moment to HEA. But I was still teary and grinning by the end.
Thank you to the author for the chance to review an advance copy. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
November 7, 2025
This book is the perfect way to wrap up this series. There is so much emotion in this book. I think I felt every single one throughout this book.
This book also felt different than the first 2 in the series, but in a good way. It is set up differently but that is because of the history of the MCs. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were kids and how they met. Then back to when they are adults learning to be around each other again.
I loved Jamie's grandparents. The amount of love they had for each other and their family showed on the page. This book shows how important and loving a family can be.
This book was also healing for Avi and Jamie. They have had 11 years of pain that they never got to work through. They both had to be willing to open up and tell the other their truths. There were so many heartbreaking moments in this book but healing as well.
This book also felt different than the first 2 in the series, but in a good way. It is set up differently but that is because of the history of the MCs. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were kids and how they met. Then back to when they are adults learning to be around each other again.
I loved Jamie's grandparents. The amount of love they had for each other and their family showed on the page. This book shows how important and loving a family can be.
This book was also healing for Avi and Jamie. They have had 11 years of pain that they never got to work through. They both had to be willing to open up and tell the other their truths. There were so many heartbreaking moments in this book but healing as well.
November 4, 2025
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This a second-chance romance between childhood friends, told in dual POV.
There were a few things that didn’t quite work for me here. The biggest one was the connection between the main characters when they were younger. It just didn’t feel strong enough for me to believe that they’d still be in love after a decade apart. During their childhood, they only spent summers together and barely spoke in between when they were separated.
Also, it didn’t help that when they finally decided to be intimate he insisted on reiterating that it was temporary experience and that they would remain friends and nothing more. After a very short amount of time of being friend with benefits, she eventually told him she loves him and he responded by rejecting any attempt of them having a real romantic relationship. So while they had this intense summer bond, it’s hard for me to buy that kind of love lasting a decade without any contact when they never established a strong romantic foundation. I can’t say the book does a great job of establishing this connection when they reconnect as adults either—it felt very rushed.
I’ve said this before about other books, but I really dislike when the female lead spends years pining after the guy while he’s out living his life and sleeping around. You can absolutely show that she still cares for him while also letting her grow, date, or at least have other romantic experiences. That imbalance always rubs me the wrong way.
And then there’s the secret-baby plot. I could understand her keeping quiet at first, since he’d hurt her and was settling into his life in the U.S. But keeping that secret for ten years? That just didn’t sit well with my spirit. The fact that she only ended up telling him because he happened to come back to Scotland due to his grandfather’s health irked me. We are led to assume that she would have never told him otherwise because of her own fear.
One thing I did really enjoy, was the portrayal of the grandparents. They were genuinely delightful, and I actually felt like they were one of the strongest aspects of the book. Their warmth and humor brought so much life to the story, and honestly, I would’ve loved to learn more about their own romance and history.
I wish the author had leaned more into the story taking place in Scotland. From the glimpses we get, Skye sounds beautiful, but the setting never really came alive the way I hoped it would.
Overall, this had the bones of an emotional second-chance romance, but the execution didn’t quite land for me despite the large page count.
This a second-chance romance between childhood friends, told in dual POV.
There were a few things that didn’t quite work for me here. The biggest one was the connection between the main characters when they were younger. It just didn’t feel strong enough for me to believe that they’d still be in love after a decade apart. During their childhood, they only spent summers together and barely spoke in between when they were separated.
Also, it didn’t help that when they finally decided to be intimate he insisted on reiterating that it was temporary experience and that they would remain friends and nothing more. After a very short amount of time of being friend with benefits, she eventually told him she loves him and he responded by rejecting any attempt of them having a real romantic relationship. So while they had this intense summer bond, it’s hard for me to buy that kind of love lasting a decade without any contact when they never established a strong romantic foundation. I can’t say the book does a great job of establishing this connection when they reconnect as adults either—it felt very rushed.
I’ve said this before about other books, but I really dislike when the female lead spends years pining after the guy while he’s out living his life and sleeping around. You can absolutely show that she still cares for him while also letting her grow, date, or at least have other romantic experiences. That imbalance always rubs me the wrong way.
And then there’s the secret-baby plot. I could understand her keeping quiet at first, since he’d hurt her and was settling into his life in the U.S. But keeping that secret for ten years? That just didn’t sit well with my spirit. The fact that she only ended up telling him because he happened to come back to Scotland due to his grandfather’s health irked me. We are led to assume that she would have never told him otherwise because of her own fear.
One thing I did really enjoy, was the portrayal of the grandparents. They were genuinely delightful, and I actually felt like they were one of the strongest aspects of the book. Their warmth and humor brought so much life to the story, and honestly, I would’ve loved to learn more about their own romance and history.
I wish the author had leaned more into the story taking place in Scotland. From the glimpses we get, Skye sounds beautiful, but the setting never really came alive the way I hoped it would.
Overall, this had the bones of an emotional second-chance romance, but the execution didn’t quite land for me despite the large page count.
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November 2, 2025If you liked Love and Other Words, add it to your TBR.
I've read everything that this author has written and I have liked it all. I would definitely recommend reading the three books in this interconnected standalone series in order. Start with On a Flight to Sydney (it's first and my fave).
Although I love everything this author writes, this is my least favorite of the bunch. It's not the book, it's me. These tropes are some of my least favorites, but they are a lot of people's favorite. I do not enjoy second chance or dual timeline, but I think this book will be for you if you like these tropes!
I enjoyed the ending and the grandparent characters. He is an author and she is a chef! I've never read a secret baby trope before and I didn't hate it!
Pick this one up if you like:
Scottish, small town, inn setting
Childhood friends to estranged to lovers
Secret baby
Dual timeline
Dual POV
Interconnected standalones
Supportive family side characters
Fade to black/cracked door spice
Strong language
Alexa, please play Ruin the Friendship by Taylor Swift.
I've read everything that this author has written and I have liked it all. I would definitely recommend reading the three books in this interconnected standalone series in order. Start with On a Flight to Sydney (it's first and my fave).
Although I love everything this author writes, this is my least favorite of the bunch. It's not the book, it's me. These tropes are some of my least favorites, but they are a lot of people's favorite. I do not enjoy second chance or dual timeline, but I think this book will be for you if you like these tropes!
I enjoyed the ending and the grandparent characters. He is an author and she is a chef! I've never read a secret baby trope before and I didn't hate it!
Pick this one up if you like:
Scottish, small town, inn setting
Childhood friends to estranged to lovers
Secret baby
Dual timeline
Dual POV
Interconnected standalones
Supportive family side characters
Fade to black/cracked door spice
Strong language
Alexa, please play Ruin the Friendship by Taylor Swift.
November 20, 2025
Synopsis: Childhood best friends Jamie and Avonlea shared every summer together on the Isle of Skye, until the events of their last summer together left them both heartbroken. Now, ten years later, they both find themselves back home on Skye having to face their past secrets.
Thoughts: This is such a tender second chance romance that really packs an emotional punch. Jamie and Avonlea’s story is told from both perspectives in both present day and in flashbacks to their youth. I loved getting to see their entire story past and present. The setting happens to be my favorite place on earth, so that was also so lovely! This is the third book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone - though the couples from the first two books are mentioned.
Read this if you like:
⛴️ second chance romance
⛴️ childhood friends to lovers
⛴️ single parent
⛴️ family and found family
⛴️ Scotland setting
⛴️ dual pov
Thoughts: This is such a tender second chance romance that really packs an emotional punch. Jamie and Avonlea’s story is told from both perspectives in both present day and in flashbacks to their youth. I loved getting to see their entire story past and present. The setting happens to be my favorite place on earth, so that was also so lovely! This is the third book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone - though the couples from the first two books are mentioned.
Read this if you like:
⛴️ second chance romance
⛴️ childhood friends to lovers
⛴️ single parent
⛴️ family and found family
⛴️ Scotland setting
⛴️ dual pov
November 21, 2025
Be still my tender heart, what a sweet childhood friends to lovers with a second chance romance this was! Jamie returns to Scotland to assist his family, where he sees the one woman who stole his heart at the age of 10 but broke it years later. Not only has Avonlea kept her still present feelings for Jamie at bay, she has been keeping a huge secret from him. The way these two find their way back to each other…gah, it melted my heart! As a fade to black romance, I did not miss the spice because the connection formed between the two was intense and deep (flashbacks and dual points of view was such a solid choice!). This will be a book I will remember to recommend for childhood friends to lover and/or second chance. 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
October 12, 2025
I don’t think I can even remember the last time I was so consumed by a hard copy book that I read it in one day. The way my heart just latched onto this story! I have been utterly and completely obsessed with J.A. Forde’s writing since reading her debut and somehow she has continued building that obsession with each of the two following novels.
I love these characters, the world, the stories. I love the messages of found and chosen family. I love the acknowledgement of tough blood family relationships.
Basically to sum it up - I’m obsessed! Please for the love of all that is holy preorder this book! Read the series. I promise you won’t regret it!
I love these characters, the world, the stories. I love the messages of found and chosen family. I love the acknowledgement of tough blood family relationships.
Basically to sum it up - I’m obsessed! Please for the love of all that is holy preorder this book! Read the series. I promise you won’t regret it!
November 15, 2025
I do love a Scottish setting, and Skye has such natural charm—I only wish the story had captured more of that atmosphere. I liked the dual POV and absolutely adored the grandparents; they brought such warmth and heart to the story. But the “secret child for ten years” trope didn’t work for me. It’s hard to root for a romance built on that much silence, especially when their young love connection never fully convinced me. The pacing was steady, and the family moments stood out, but the emotional pull between the main characters fell short. Overall, an okay read with a few tender moments, but not a standout for me.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!
November 25, 2025
@the.sah.authormom has done it again! She’s released another banger of a book and if I may say, it’s her best her work yet!! Jamie’s character was sweet and tender. Imagine a manly man with a Scottish accent 😍 in a kilt?! Ugh swoon. The man also has the most perfect grandparents too. Avonlea stayed away from Scotland for too long. She let the fear of having a child steer her from really finding her true love. Her and Jamie were childhood friends but her fear kept her away. Jesse, I’m so sad to see this series end but I’m so excited to see what you have in store next!!
November 17, 2025
Now this is what friends-to-lovers/second-chance romance stories are all about! J. A. Forde really poured her heart and soul into these two—Avonlea and Jamie seriously have my whole heart. Their story of friendship was so heartfelt and wholesome that it made watching them fall in love that much sweeter.
This was seriously the perfect perfect conclusion to the Love Along the Way series & I cannot wait to get my hands on whatever Forde writes next! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
This was seriously the perfect perfect conclusion to the Love Along the Way series & I cannot wait to get my hands on whatever Forde writes next! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
November 18, 2025
J.A. Forde just keeps getting better and better. The Queen of tension and slow burn. Plus, this book pulls at your emotional heartstrings to the max. I adored getting to follow along in Jamie’s love story and reconnecting back to his roots. The childhood stories of him and Avi together make this book through their adorable, innocent nature. The period scene is one of my favorites as a mom who is raising daughters and sons. ♥️♥️♥️
November 22, 2025
I’ve been waiting for this third and final book in the Love Along the Way series and it didn’t disappoint! 🥰 After being introduced to Jameson Murray in On the Slopes of Tahoe, I was SUPER excited to read his story next. 🙌
🏴 I loved the Scottish setting and sweet second chance romance between Avonlea and Jamie. The dual point of view that altered back and forth between the present and their past was also something that kept me turning the pages. 🤗
While I did struggle with Avonlea’s ten year secret (a hidden pregnancy/child is tricky to redeem after that long of a time), I felt the author pulled it all together well and I was happy when they reached their HEA.
🥹 I’m sad to see this wonderful series come to an end, but am very excited to see what J.A. Forde has up next!! 📚💕
🏴 I loved the Scottish setting and sweet second chance romance between Avonlea and Jamie. The dual point of view that altered back and forth between the present and their past was also something that kept me turning the pages. 🤗
While I did struggle with Avonlea’s ten year secret (a hidden pregnancy/child is tricky to redeem after that long of a time), I felt the author pulled it all together well and I was happy when they reached their HEA.
🥹 I’m sad to see this wonderful series come to an end, but am very excited to see what J.A. Forde has up next!! 📚💕
November 20, 2025
On the Ferry to Skye
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First and foremost, thank you JA Forde for the eARC. I read this book within two days because it was sooo devourable.
Five stars. I cried in the end of this. The fact this is the ending of the series also added a little touch of sobbing when finishing too because I wasn’t ready for this series to end.
This was a second chance romance (to all my second chance girlies out there you’ll love this)
Jamie and Avonlea see each other after a decade all due to unfortunate events. They were childhood friends and lovers so seeing eachother brought up all of the feelings again.
This whole story was so beautifully written and held so many emotions. The found family was so heartfelt and wholesome and I will forever love a good found family moment. I also absolutely loved the dual timeline in this book so much because it really brought the story together heavy. I felt so connected to the characters which made me not want this story to end ever and I wanted more of them since they didn’t get much time together due to their decade separation.
Thank you again JA Forde for the ARC and lovely opportunity to ARC read for you once again. I am so glad to be apart of the team for this one 🥹
You’ll love this if you love:
🩵Second Chance Romance
🩵Dual timeline
🩵Author x Chef
🩵Single Mother
🩵Secret Baby
🩵Dual POV
🩵Scotland Setting 🏴
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First and foremost, thank you JA Forde for the eARC. I read this book within two days because it was sooo devourable.
Five stars. I cried in the end of this. The fact this is the ending of the series also added a little touch of sobbing when finishing too because I wasn’t ready for this series to end.
This was a second chance romance (to all my second chance girlies out there you’ll love this)
Jamie and Avonlea see each other after a decade all due to unfortunate events. They were childhood friends and lovers so seeing eachother brought up all of the feelings again.
This whole story was so beautifully written and held so many emotions. The found family was so heartfelt and wholesome and I will forever love a good found family moment. I also absolutely loved the dual timeline in this book so much because it really brought the story together heavy. I felt so connected to the characters which made me not want this story to end ever and I wanted more of them since they didn’t get much time together due to their decade separation.
Thank you again JA Forde for the ARC and lovely opportunity to ARC read for you once again. I am so glad to be apart of the team for this one 🥹
You’ll love this if you love:
🩵Second Chance Romance
🩵Dual timeline
🩵Author x Chef
🩵Single Mother
🩵Secret Baby
🩵Dual POV
🩵Scotland Setting 🏴
December 6, 2025
This whole series is incredible. I laughed, I cried, I raged, I loved. Thank you J.A. Forde for bringing these characters to life ❤️
November 14, 2025
I mean what can I say? These characters had my heart from the first few pages. This was an ARC from the author but as soon as this is out, grab it :).
October 25, 2025
Couldn’t put it down, I had every urge to abandon all responsibilities until I finished it. The way J.A. Forde is able to make a place feel like home through the pages of a book is incredible. I’m in love with the entire Love Along The Way series, but something about getting to see Jamie’s story felt so special. The relationships whether platonic, romantic or familial were heartwarmingly beautiful to read. While bouncing back and forth between then & now timelines is something I don't usually care for, it was easy to follow and neccessary to this story line. It helped to develop deeper understandings of the relationships and was actually so fun to get to know young Jamie & Avonlea. My heart is not ready for this series to be over. J.A. Forde has quickly made her way into my fave authors list this year and I cannot wait to see what else her future holds.
PS: Scotland has officially been added to my travel bucket list.
If you have not read the first two in this series (On A Flight To Sydney & On The Slopes Of Tahoe) I highly recommend you do before this comes out on November 21st. While i do think these can be read as stand alones without getting lost, reading them in order is such a fun experience and would be my recommendation.
PS: Scotland has officially been added to my travel bucket list.
If you have not read the first two in this series (On A Flight To Sydney & On The Slopes Of Tahoe) I highly recommend you do before this comes out on November 21st. While i do think these can be read as stand alones without getting lost, reading them in order is such a fun experience and would be my recommendation.
December 2, 2025
Overall, this was a cute, fade-to-black romcom. Our main characters have known each other for years and we get to see how their relationship unfolded over a series of intermixed flashbacks. The failure-to-communicate issue is arguably my least favorite in a romance book, and I found myself saying to the room "just talk already" more than once, but I also wanted to see what would happen to get us to our HEA.
Looking forward to going back and reading the first two books in this series. I saw what I'm guessing were a few spoilers for the earlier books, but having not read them didn't get in the way of enjoying this one.
solid 3.5, rounding up.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Looking forward to going back and reading the first two books in this series. I saw what I'm guessing were a few spoilers for the earlier books, but having not read them didn't get in the way of enjoying this one.
solid 3.5, rounding up.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this book.
November 23, 2025
I found this story interesting, and it was also a quick read. I really enjoyed the premise-I’m a sucker for second chances. However, there’s one thing that bothers me quite a lot, and that’s hiding a child from the other parent for 10 years without any reasonable explanation. I don’t really understand hiding such important information, apart from situations involving abuse etc. I mean, how is it even fair to your child to keep them away from their father for 10 years?
After Jameson found out the truth, everything started to move a bit too fast when it comes to Jamie’s relationship with Avonlea.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, and good luck in your future writing.
After Jameson found out the truth, everything started to move a bit too fast when it comes to Jamie’s relationship with Avonlea.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, and good luck in your future writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2025
What an amazing book! I have always been so curious about Jamie since we pretty much hear about him throughout the entire series and I loved his story so much. Him and Avi were childhood friends turned lovers when heartbreak, a surprise and secrets kept them apart for 10 years.
Jamie is an author who has forever been in love with his childhood best friend from Scotland. Jamie had me screaming and kicking my feet with how sweet and caring he was. The way this man YEARNED had me catching my breath a few times 😮💨.
Avonlea, single mom and chef who comes barreling back into Jamie’s life when she is given to opportunity to be head chef at Jamie’s grandfather’s pub. Which of course forces all the secrets she held for years to come tumbling down. It was so good to see the growth and seeing her and Jamie work through what she did.
I definitely teared up while reading multiple times and just adored this store and the closure it gave to the whole series. I will definitely miss everyone. If you love childhood friends to lovers, secrets, forced proximity, small town, found family, and second chances I definitely recommend this one!
Jamie is an author who has forever been in love with his childhood best friend from Scotland. Jamie had me screaming and kicking my feet with how sweet and caring he was. The way this man YEARNED had me catching my breath a few times 😮💨.
Avonlea, single mom and chef who comes barreling back into Jamie’s life when she is given to opportunity to be head chef at Jamie’s grandfather’s pub. Which of course forces all the secrets she held for years to come tumbling down. It was so good to see the growth and seeing her and Jamie work through what she did.
I definitely teared up while reading multiple times and just adored this store and the closure it gave to the whole series. I will definitely miss everyone. If you love childhood friends to lovers, secrets, forced proximity, small town, found family, and second chances I definitely recommend this one!
October 25, 2025
Really liked this one! Jamie & Avi’s story is so complicated but their love is so simple.
Truly was a multigenerational story of love… in the dual timeline of Jamie & Avi, in the grandparent and grandchild love story, and in the unconditional love of a parent and child. Really beautifully written. Not to mention Jamie is quite swoon worthy!
This was the perfect ending to the series. Worth a read!!
*I received this eARC for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank so you much for sharing your work with me*
Truly was a multigenerational story of love… in the dual timeline of Jamie & Avi, in the grandparent and grandchild love story, and in the unconditional love of a parent and child. Really beautifully written. Not to mention Jamie is quite swoon worthy!
This was the perfect ending to the series. Worth a read!!
*I received this eARC for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank so you much for sharing your work with me*
November 29, 2025
On the Ferry to Skye by J.A. Forde.
I opened this book thinking I’d coast gently into a sweet Scottish romance, and instead it grabbed me by the sweater, dragged me onto the Isle of Skye, and refused to let me go until I’d felt every single emotion Avonlea and Jamie spent a decade avoiding. This is one of those stories that feels like settling into a familiar armchair while someone kindly rips your heart out and stitches it back together with wool yarn and good intentions. In short, peak cozy chaos.
The setup is delicious. Avonlea and Jamie meet as kids and spend eight summers building a friendship that slides into love so gradually and so earnestly you almost want to go back in time and tell them to slow down, breathe, and maybe invest in healthier communication habits. But they’re teenagers, so naturally everything implodes. One choice, one heartbreak, one life-changing secret, and suddenly Skye becomes the place Avonlea runs from and Jamie runs to forget. Fast forward ten years, and fate—along with a sick grandparent and a kitchen vacancy—throws them under the same roof again. Nothing says closure quite like forced proximity and unresolved longing simmering in a pub kitchen.
This dual timeline does the heavy lifting, and it does it well. I loved watching their childhood friendship bloom. Those chapters feel sun-warmed and innocent, full of bike rides, shared secrets, and that slow realization that your best friend has become the center of your universe. The present timeline hits differently. It’s filled with the weight of everything unsaid, the ache of missed chances, and the stubborn hope that maybe love doesn’t disappear just because life got messy.
Skye itself practically hums through the pages. The wind, the sea, the mist, the sense of small-town closeness where everybody knows your history even when you wish they didn’t. It makes the whole book feel grounded, atmospheric, and a little magical. If you’ve ever wanted to pack a bag and disappear into a Scottish postcard, this story will tempt you.
Now we need to talk about the characters who almost stole the whole show. Angus and Aileen. Jamie’s grandparents are everything you want in fictional family members: warm, wise, gently sarcastic, and heartbreakingly human. I would absolutely read an entire prequel featuring their love story. Aileen’s quiet steadiness and Angus offering lines like “You know if you write it with your heart, you’ll never go astray” made me stop, smile, and briefly pretend I was sitting at their kitchen table drinking tea I didn’t ask for.
And then there’s Lennox, Avonlea’s son, who adds a whole new layer of tenderness and vulnerability to the story. Watching him bond with Jamie, even before the truth comes out, is one of the sweetest arcs in the book. He grounds the story in something more than romance. He gives it heart.
Let’s not pretend everything is perfect. Jamie’s teenage choices made me want to sit him down for a long talk about emotional responsibility. Avonlea’s decision to keep her secret for ten years? Frustrating. But the story handles their flaws with honesty. These characters earn their second chance. You feel the fear, the guilt, the anger, and finally the relief when they lay everything bare. It’s messy in all the ways real life tends to be.
When you head to a bookstore event, meet the author, and buy her book, just know that this is the one you’ll reach for when real life slows down and you’re ready to sink into a cozy holiday weekend read. Picture it: blanket, twinkle lights, something warm in a mug, and a story that feels like someone whispering “it’s okay, love gets another try.”
On the Ferry to Skye is more than a romance. It’s a story about the weight of growing up, the courage it takes to face the past, and the way love can survive even when everything else falls apart. It’s tender, it’s emotional, and it leaves you feeling a little softer toward the world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
#OnTheFerrytoSkye #JAForde #LoveAlongTheWaySeries #BookReview #RomanceBooks #SecondChanceRomance #ScottishRomance #IsleOfSkye #DualTimeline #CozyReads #HolidayReads #SmallTownRomance #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishLove
I opened this book thinking I’d coast gently into a sweet Scottish romance, and instead it grabbed me by the sweater, dragged me onto the Isle of Skye, and refused to let me go until I’d felt every single emotion Avonlea and Jamie spent a decade avoiding. This is one of those stories that feels like settling into a familiar armchair while someone kindly rips your heart out and stitches it back together with wool yarn and good intentions. In short, peak cozy chaos.
The setup is delicious. Avonlea and Jamie meet as kids and spend eight summers building a friendship that slides into love so gradually and so earnestly you almost want to go back in time and tell them to slow down, breathe, and maybe invest in healthier communication habits. But they’re teenagers, so naturally everything implodes. One choice, one heartbreak, one life-changing secret, and suddenly Skye becomes the place Avonlea runs from and Jamie runs to forget. Fast forward ten years, and fate—along with a sick grandparent and a kitchen vacancy—throws them under the same roof again. Nothing says closure quite like forced proximity and unresolved longing simmering in a pub kitchen.
This dual timeline does the heavy lifting, and it does it well. I loved watching their childhood friendship bloom. Those chapters feel sun-warmed and innocent, full of bike rides, shared secrets, and that slow realization that your best friend has become the center of your universe. The present timeline hits differently. It’s filled with the weight of everything unsaid, the ache of missed chances, and the stubborn hope that maybe love doesn’t disappear just because life got messy.
Skye itself practically hums through the pages. The wind, the sea, the mist, the sense of small-town closeness where everybody knows your history even when you wish they didn’t. It makes the whole book feel grounded, atmospheric, and a little magical. If you’ve ever wanted to pack a bag and disappear into a Scottish postcard, this story will tempt you.
Now we need to talk about the characters who almost stole the whole show. Angus and Aileen. Jamie’s grandparents are everything you want in fictional family members: warm, wise, gently sarcastic, and heartbreakingly human. I would absolutely read an entire prequel featuring their love story. Aileen’s quiet steadiness and Angus offering lines like “You know if you write it with your heart, you’ll never go astray” made me stop, smile, and briefly pretend I was sitting at their kitchen table drinking tea I didn’t ask for.
And then there’s Lennox, Avonlea’s son, who adds a whole new layer of tenderness and vulnerability to the story. Watching him bond with Jamie, even before the truth comes out, is one of the sweetest arcs in the book. He grounds the story in something more than romance. He gives it heart.
Let’s not pretend everything is perfect. Jamie’s teenage choices made me want to sit him down for a long talk about emotional responsibility. Avonlea’s decision to keep her secret for ten years? Frustrating. But the story handles their flaws with honesty. These characters earn their second chance. You feel the fear, the guilt, the anger, and finally the relief when they lay everything bare. It’s messy in all the ways real life tends to be.
When you head to a bookstore event, meet the author, and buy her book, just know that this is the one you’ll reach for when real life slows down and you’re ready to sink into a cozy holiday weekend read. Picture it: blanket, twinkle lights, something warm in a mug, and a story that feels like someone whispering “it’s okay, love gets another try.”
On the Ferry to Skye is more than a romance. It’s a story about the weight of growing up, the courage it takes to face the past, and the way love can survive even when everything else falls apart. It’s tender, it’s emotional, and it leaves you feeling a little softer toward the world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
#OnTheFerrytoSkye #JAForde #LoveAlongTheWaySeries #BookReview #RomanceBooks #SecondChanceRomance #ScottishRomance #IsleOfSkye #DualTimeline #CozyReads #HolidayReads #SmallTownRomance #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishLove
December 28, 2025
📚On the Ferry to Skye
✍🏻J.A. Forde
Blurb:
Eight summers. Two broken hearts.
One shocking truth.
It took eight summers for Avonlea Stewart to give her heart to her best friend but only moments for him to shatter it. In the wake of her heartbreak, she found herself facing a life-altering decision—one that drove her away from the Isle of Skye and the memories of her first love.
More than a decade later, the opportunity of a lifetime pulls her back to the place forever stitched into her soul. But returning means confronting the past—especially when the man she’s hidden it from is the first person she sees: her childhood best friend, her first love… the father of her child.
Jamie Murray loved Avonlea Stewart, but he realized it too late—after he’d already broken her heart. That mistake cost him more than their friendship; it cost him Scotland—the home he left behind, believing she’d moved on with someone else.
Years later, a devastating family situation calls him back, but the past he’s fought to forget is still there, waiting for him, because Avonlea’s back too. And facing her, and the life she built without him, is more than he can bear.
Stuck together under the same roof, Avonlea and Jamie are forced to face everything they lost—and the truth they once promised each other.
On the Ferry to Skye is book three in the Love Along the Way series. It showcases the resilience of young love, the strength of old love, and how true love always finds a way—so long as you’re willing to work for it.
My Thoughts:
Forced to go home after a decade due to his grandfather’s failing health, Jamie was hoping to avoid his childhood best friend, and lover who he thought had moved on.
Avonlea is back in Skye for a job as a favour to her old friend’s grandfather. She was not expecting to run into Jamie, her best friend, the man who broke her heart, and the father of her child. This is a love story about Jamie and Avonlea flashbacking to their childhoods on the Island of Skye in the summers. The reader watches their friendship blossom from acquaintances, best friends, crushes, lovers, enemies, and back again. At the age of 17 they drifted apart after having a fight and in current times reunite. This read was so cozy, but also so romantic and full of hope. Both have their own secrets they’ve been keeping and their own hurts they’ve been harboring, but watching them navigate those roughy waters was so beautiful and heart-wrenching.
Thanks NetGalley, J.A. Forde and Author J.A. Forde for the advanced copy of "On the Ferry to Skye" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#J.A.FordePublishing
#J.AFordeAuthor
##OntheFerrytoSkye
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warning: : Death of parent
✍🏻J.A. Forde
Blurb:
Eight summers. Two broken hearts.
One shocking truth.
It took eight summers for Avonlea Stewart to give her heart to her best friend but only moments for him to shatter it. In the wake of her heartbreak, she found herself facing a life-altering decision—one that drove her away from the Isle of Skye and the memories of her first love.
More than a decade later, the opportunity of a lifetime pulls her back to the place forever stitched into her soul. But returning means confronting the past—especially when the man she’s hidden it from is the first person she sees: her childhood best friend, her first love… the father of her child.
Jamie Murray loved Avonlea Stewart, but he realized it too late—after he’d already broken her heart. That mistake cost him more than their friendship; it cost him Scotland—the home he left behind, believing she’d moved on with someone else.
Years later, a devastating family situation calls him back, but the past he’s fought to forget is still there, waiting for him, because Avonlea’s back too. And facing her, and the life she built without him, is more than he can bear.
Stuck together under the same roof, Avonlea and Jamie are forced to face everything they lost—and the truth they once promised each other.
On the Ferry to Skye is book three in the Love Along the Way series. It showcases the resilience of young love, the strength of old love, and how true love always finds a way—so long as you’re willing to work for it.
My Thoughts:
Forced to go home after a decade due to his grandfather’s failing health, Jamie was hoping to avoid his childhood best friend, and lover who he thought had moved on.
Avonlea is back in Skye for a job as a favour to her old friend’s grandfather. She was not expecting to run into Jamie, her best friend, the man who broke her heart, and the father of her child. This is a love story about Jamie and Avonlea flashbacking to their childhoods on the Island of Skye in the summers. The reader watches their friendship blossom from acquaintances, best friends, crushes, lovers, enemies, and back again. At the age of 17 they drifted apart after having a fight and in current times reunite. This read was so cozy, but also so romantic and full of hope. Both have their own secrets they’ve been keeping and their own hurts they’ve been harboring, but watching them navigate those roughy waters was so beautiful and heart-wrenching.
Thanks NetGalley, J.A. Forde and Author J.A. Forde for the advanced copy of "On the Ferry to Skye" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#J.A.FordePublishing
#J.AFordeAuthor
##OntheFerrytoSkye
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warning: : Death of parent
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