This book certainly has strong initial reviews….. It just wasn’t the book for me. I wasn’t drawn to the characters nor the story. It definitely has an audience. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Vivid setting, intense emotions, and characters that feel real! I was on edge, hopeful, and totally rooting for Valerie the whole way through. Absolutely fantastic read!

This novel gets five stars from me because I am still thinking about it and in many ways it was unlike most novels I've read.

The prose in this novel is outstanding. It's vivid and visual and sensory. And there's a feeling of longing, loneliness, beauty and foreboding throughout the whole novel. You almost don't want to succumb to the hope and beauty that comes with the young relationship because the foreboding is so strong and there's an inevitable question of what happens when Valerie's vacation is over.

The writing is masterful. The characters are richly drawn and most definitely I would love to live in Tofino. In fact, I spent a long time down in a rabbit hole after this novel looking at photos of Tofino.

with gratitude to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tofino felt like stepping into a delicate moment of heartbreak and healing set against the raw, beautiful coastal backdrop of the town itself. The story unfolds over three days, which gives it an intimate, urgent rhythm, there’s no room for anything extra, and every moment feels weighted with significance.

The writing style is lyrical without being overly flowery. Tom Stewart uses clean, well chosen details that make the setting and emotions feel alive, waves crashing against the shore, steam curling at the hot springs, the quiet hum of an ocean town in off season. The dialogue feels natural, often laced with a dry wit that keeps the more emotional beats from becoming too heavy. There’s a certain cinematic quality to the prose, where each scene is carefully framed and textured, making it easy to picture and even easier to feel.

Valerie Lou Roy’s journey hit me hard one moment she’s overwhelmed by panic and professional collapse, the next she’s stepping onto a ferry toward a place she barely remembers. Then there’s the fishing guide, whose blunt humor and unexpected depth balance her uncertainty. Their chemistry builds gradually, with moments of tenderness, friction, and quiet reflection. The coastal setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s woven into their interactions, acting almost like another character in the story.

Readers looking for emotional realism, well developed characters, and a strong sense of place will find a lot to love here. This isn’t a story that offers instant resolution, it embraces the stops and starts of personal healing. There’s romance, but it’s grounded, not rushed, and it coexists with themes of self discovery and resilience.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has visited and fallen in love with Tofino, I was immediately drawn to this book and Tom Stewart truly captures the magic of the place. The writing is lyrical, layered, and at times poetic, with vivid descriptions that made me feel like I was back on those beautiful windswept beaches.

Tofino is a slow-burn, introspective novel that unfolds over just a few days, focusing on Valerie, a high-powered CEO on the edge of burnout, and Alex, a charming, offbeat fishing guide with his own baggage. The story is more about emotional journeys than dramatic plot twists, and much of the narrative plays out in the characters’ inner worlds.

That said, the pacing is deliberate and the prose occasionally complex, this is a book you need to sit with and let settle. It's not a quick read, but it’s a rewarding one. I was rooting for Valerie from the start, and found myself invested in her healing, her vulnerability, and her pursuit of peace.

A beautifully written and emotionally rich novel that lingers long after the final page.

I received the advance reading copy of Tofino and this story was beautifully written. At first I thought I would have a hard time finishing the book because it is a slow burn (I'm not use to those). But, I think this book is good for patient readers who love the art of storytelling. The writing was almost poetic! The wordplay was sort of complex like a work of art and there were times where I had to reread things a couple of times. This is not a book you just read but you have to process and let it marinate. We are, for the most part, in the mind of the characters Valerie and Alex, who are the main love interests and we follow the story of how they meet amongst other issues they end up facing. I found that this story was more introspective than narrative-driven. It's like we're watching their thoughts jump back and forward between the past and present moment. However, If you're a reader who like to clear plot points and fast pace reads, this book might frustrate you! But overall, this book was almost a masterpiece. I was rooting for Valerie throughout the entire book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Such a beautifully written book. The vivid details of the setting and the mindset of Valerie made this an easy to follow storyline. I felt so many emotions as I read including paranoia and fear, hope, and lust. The characters in this book are so well developed throughout that I feel like I know them in real life. I was really rooting for Valerie the entire way through. What a fantastic novel!