TRUE TO ME by Kay Bratt

Another beautiful book by Kay Bratt. Her books leave you breathless and with tears in your eyes. Both tears of sadness and joy. Heartache and happiness. Such emotions make her books some of the best I’ve ever read. Through in a laugh or two and you have a wonderful, heartfelt, touching, loving, story.

Ohana, means family. All Quinn wanted was a big family. Sisters and brothers. A dad who was there for her. What she had was a mother who would do anything for her. Anything to keep her safe. She loved her unconditionally and with every part of her. On her death bed she made a confession to Quinn that would change everything that she thought she knew about her and her mother.

Quinn goes to Maui to take her mother’s ashes home. That was her mother’s wish and being the kind of person she was Quinn was determined to grant her mother’s last wishes. Little did she know that her life was going to make a dramatic turn. Changes were coming for her that she would have never believed. She was leaving behind a life she thought at the time was what she wanted. Engaged to a man she thought she loved so much and would do anything for. In Maui she found her true self. Her strengths. She met people who changed her life in ways she never would have dreamed of. Sounds a bit like paradise to me in many ways.

This story is told in a way that you truly feel like you are there. The beauty of the water. The paths through the woods. The buildings and the house that changed Quinn in many ways. The family that lived in the house that is. She found so much that she never realized was missing and more. They all became family to her. This is a story of a love so deep and moving that it will take your breath away. The love of strangers and family and a best friend. Unconditional love. The only true kind.

This story made me have lots of ugly crying tears. Not all in a bad way either. The joys and happiness. The ups and downs. The breakups and losses. Family can be such a beautiful thing and it’s not just blood that makes a family. It’s in your heart.

Kay Bratt has a way with words that will have you reeling from chapter to chapter. From one thing to the next. Her books always leave me feeling full. I can’t wait for the next book now to see who we meet and who comes together. Yes, Ohana means family. A huge big family that were strangers just a few days before.

I loved this book from the first word to the very last. It pulled me in and pulled at my heart. It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The characters were so likable and you will feel like they are old friends. With the exception of the fiancé, Ethan. I didn’t like him at all. Nothing about him. But all the rest were so loving and kind and felt like family and old friends.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lake Union and Kay Bratt for this ARC. This is my own review and is from my heart.

I give this one 5 stars and a high high recommendation.. A must read.

I loved everything about this book - plot, main & supporting characters, and setting. I found Quinn to be very likeable and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story as she tries to unravel the mystery of her family while also asserting her independence from her controlling fiance. This book highlights the value of true friendship and the power of compassion and forgiveness.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

On her deathbed,Quinn's mother tells her that the man she thought was her father is not her real father,setting off a search for the truth.This takes place on Maui,where Quinn learns a lot about herself,her mother and her roots.Along the way,she realizes some truths about her love relationship,connects with her estranged best friend and becomes more involved with the island and people.The story has a lot of great descriptions of the lush island scenery making me feel like I was right there beside Quinn the entire time!

I was first drawn to this book because of the cover when I saw it on NetGalley and then I saw all the four and five star reviews, I decided to read it. I am glad that I did.
Quinn Maguire's family has consisted of just her mother and herself her whole life. When her mother died of cancer, she was heartbroken. Before her death, her mom told her that the deadbeat dad that she can't remember was not actually her father. She asked that Quinn return her ashes to Hawaii where she and Quinn are from. In an unusual move, Quinn decides to buy a house in Hawaii when her mom leaves her a small inheritance against her controlling fiance's insistence. Thinking she could fix it up and rent it out, it would be an investment. Quinn felt strongly that she needed to find out if she had family in Hawaii and wanted some space alone to do the exploring. She encountered lots of obstacles when she arrived at her sight unseen home purchase, in the form of a family living in the house. That was just the start of the course her life took trying to find her roots. Quinn finds herself at crossroads in her life on many levels and hers is an emotional journey that she is on alone. Out of desperation, she reaches out to an old friend who comes through to help her walk through everything but she is in for some hard facts to face. This is a great read that pulls you in and holds you in to the end. Quinn is someone that you feel her pain and will cheer on.
I received a complimentary ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

What a wonderful book! Kay Bragg did it again! Quinn has just lost her mother and is distraught over her mother's final words. The man she always believed to be her dad was not her real father. She decides to go to Maui and try to find out who she really is. While doing this the author takes us on a beautifully descriptive journey of the island. Quinn is very relatable and I found myself rooting for her all the way
This is a beautifully written family story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this arc for my honest review.

Quinn was raised as an only child by a single mother, so she had always yearned for siblings and a father. Shocked by her mother's dying words about her father, Quinn heads to Maui to spread her mother's ashes in the land where she was born. She is quickly drawn into the more laid-back lifestyle and deep family ties of the Hawaiian people. As she seeks answers to the mystery of her own family, she must also decide whether to continue her engagement to a man who has tried to mold her into the perfect partner. Who is the true Quinn, and where will her heart lead her? The author manages to incorporate issues such as homelessness and DNA testing along with historical background of the Hawaiian islands. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming story.

True to me by Kay Bratt is one of those books that once you pick it up you will not put it down until you are done reading it. Kay does such a great job of drawing you in to her stories. The descriptions of Maui are so clear and vivid, the character development is superb, and you feel as if you know each one personally you are totally invested in the story. This book is about love, loss, finding yourself, family secrets and forgiveness. This story is written from the heart and it is so good you forget that it is not real. This was a quick easy read but very emotional. I highly recommend this amazing book by an amazing author.

Beautifully written, emotional, rich in history of Maui, lovely characters that have you wanting to meet them in real life. When Quinn's mom passes away she's left with heartache , no family ties til she decides to go to aui and find the father she never knew , her moms dying words was a secrect she held on to. Quin discovers the meaning of family , and herself on this magical journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for review.

I read this book in one day! Loved the story line, adored the characters and the writing was excellent. I devoured this book!
Giving it one of my rare 5 star ratings!

As Christians we know that we are to be true to who God created us to be; if we accomplish that we are being true to ourselves as well. How often do we allow ourselves to be shaped in the image of who someone else says we should be? Parents, spouses, significant others, even friends may set up expectations for how we should live our lives. Some of that may truly be good, but are we cognizant of when boundaries are breached? If so, do we allow that to occur, or do we reestablish those boundaries? Traveling along with Quinn Maguire as she discovers her true self may help readers explore such questions. Quinn's story is compelling.

While I most often review Christian fiction, I did enjoy this secular, contemporary tale. Kay Bratt's works are always fully engaging, and transport me into the characters' world. They give me pause to contemplate some of the social and personal issues of our day. True to Me is no exception. I am very grateful to have received a copy from the author and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Right off the top let me say that I love a good starting over story!  Starting over isn't really what Quinn Maguire had in mind when she follows the trajectory her mother's confession set her on.    It becomes clear fairly early in the novel that finding her father will lead to other discoveries as well.

Bratt's writing grabbed me, pulled me in, and held me there till her story was told.   She is a new-to-me writer whose work I'm glad to have found and will continue to look for.   If you're looking for a story to capture your imagination, this is the one!

[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via NetGalley, and am leaving an honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

True To Me was such a heart-warming novel! I wasn't expecting to love the book so much, but it has become one of my favorite reads of 2019. It's set in Maui, Hawaii. The story centers around Quinn Maguire, who finds out that the absentee father she spent thirty years resenting ~ is not her real father at all by her mother's deathbed confession. With that one revealing whisper, Quinn embarks on a journey to Maui, her mother’s childhood home, a storied paradise that holds the truth about her mother’s past and all its secrets Quinn is determined to uncover.
The synopsis of the book reminded me so much of Love and Gelato, so I knew I had to pick it up. I am so glad I did. True To Me has a dose of everything that makes a book beautiful to readers ~ family bonds, heart-warming friendships, lovable characters and an interesting storyline. The background of the story is obviously nothing new, but Kay Bratt's writing style is so magical, it made so many emotions flow through (my heart?) while I was reading it! There was something to love about every single character, except Quinn's fiance (you 'll know why when you read the book). I loved how the story unfolded. The places in Maui were described perfectly and I felt like I was travelling with Quinn the whole time! I SO WANT TO GO TO HAWAII. Keu amake niye jao. My favorite part of the book was Quinn's character development. I was so proud of how she found the courage to be true to herself by staying close to her roots. I love stories about family, and True to Me was such a heart-warming one.

Amazing Tale. This was one of those tales that was so rich that the author could spend the rest of her career writing within this world and I'm pretty sure no one would be disappointed. The tale here of finding oneself and the large amounts of forgiveness that sometimes requires is palpable and tragic - but ultimately the feel good story one expects from this particular author. Just as with her previous book, this one yet again feels like it was written specifically to one of her daughters and indeed she has spoken publicly of it being inspired by a trip to see this particular daughter... in Maui. Truly a remarkable work, and very much recommended.

I really enjoyed True to Me.
Kay Bratt transports you to Hawaii, Maui specifically. You become immersed in their history, culture and traditions. You can almost feel the sun on your face and hear the waves crash in on the beach. It brought me back to my time there and the love you felt while there.
Aloha is the Hawaiian word for love, affection, and peace. These are the things that Quinn Maguire is hoping to find when she travels to Maui to find answers. Her mother, while on her death bed, informed her that the man she had always thought was her father was not. Who is he? Why did her mother leave Maui all those years ago and never return?
With the help of some island people, Quinn learns what really happened all those years ago. These people were all incredible and you fall in love with them right along with Quinn.
Every new piece of the puzzle had me more excited to find out who her father was. I did not want to put this book down. What an incredible puzzle it was too.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I received an advance reader copy for an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Every emotion in your body so will arise as you read this stupendous book! The writing is superb with a prodigious lead character. I highly recommend this book! Enjoy! 📚

I initially thought of not reading this book. But the blurb was too interesting for me to avoid. Even after I got the book, I kept it pushing until I had no choice but to read. Oh boy! I'm glad that I read this book.
This book had such a soothing tone that made me yearn more for it. There is a nice cosy beach setting, a girl with a fiance who is a jackass, the same girl with a mother who died revealing a secret and then a multitude of events that led to a discovery.
When I read the first few chapters I thought the story is too predictable. But boy oh boy! It's not predictable at all. I made myself a fool while predicting things. But I enjoyed it the most.
What I loved the most apart from Maui is the journey of Quinn to rediscover herself. She did everything to break the mould that is expected of her. She was brave with facing her fears and she was confident enough to break her decade long engagement. I loved every single thing.
This is a book you read when you are not feeling good. Overall, I recommend it to all people who needs an easy but interesting read.

This is my all time favorite book yet of Kay Bratt! Full of love, sadness, grief, secrets and plenty of amazing history this book hooked me instantly! The beautiful and detail put into the culture and the scenery of Maui made me feel I was right there in this book! Quinns mother leaves her with a deathbed confession that leaves her wondering who she really is. Will she be able to find the truth and forgive what has been kept ftom her for so long? A beautifully written masterpiece that left me wanting more! I couldnt put it down!I loved this book and its characters! Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union publishers for my arc copy in exhange for my honest review. All thoughtd and opinions are my own. A must read!

First time reading this author, (another of our SC authors) but I will be looking for her other books to read and enjoy!
No book report from me, cover description is adequate.
Characters are realistic,conversational, and likeable (except for the controlling arrogant boyfriend). Descriptions of the Hawaiian setting are lovely, and the information regarding their language and traditions are quite interesting. Their culture is slowly being stolen from them by expansion and tourism and it's nice to see it appreciated. One can be as superficial or as deep as they care to understand regarding the points about relationships with the family,friendships, and community. A great women's fiction read.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Quinn Maguire has it all, a handsome, wealthy fiancé, a top level job and lives in a beautiful condo. But it is all put on the back burner when her mother stuns her with a deathbed confession. This sends her to her mother’s birthplace,
Maui, to find out the truth.
An interesting story of secrets, families, island myths and love. Kay
Brat develops strong and interesting characters, paints a beautiful picture of Hawaiian culture and beliefs and pulls the reader into the enchanting traditions of island life. As Quinn fends off her unfaithful fiancé at home, she’s gaining some of the self confidence that she has lacked growing up, as she tries to find her identity. This is more than a beach read, it’s story of claiming family and it’s traditions. Definitely a five star read.
My thanks to #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing and #KayBratt for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover. After reading the blurb I knew this was a must read.

Quinn Maguire has always done the right thing. When her mother passes away it turns her world upside down in search for answers.
Determined to do the right thing Quinn travels to Maui and encounters a few hiccups she never saw coming. Will she be able to find the answers she's looking for?

To say I loved this book would be a big understatement. I found this book to have a genuine and authentic feel, realistic and relatable characters, and unexpected plot twist and a perfect ending. I highly recommend this five star read.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to express my own honest opinion of this story.