I absolutely loved The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles (both 5 star reads for me). The Confession Club was a 4 star.
I was thrilled to see a new entry to the series, Earth's the Right Place for Love. Going back in time to read the origin of Arthur and Nola was sweet. Following Arthur and his family on the bumps and twists of life was a great reading experience.

4 stars

I absolutely loved The Story of Arthur Truluv and was so excited at the opportunity to read about Arthur’s growing up years. What a sweet story about a wonderful young man who was so kind and honest. His neverending love for Nola McCollum was so touching. And every time she broke his heart, I think mine shattered a little bit as well. The family dynamics were handled well and it was so refreshing to see two brothers who truly loved each other. Though they could experience the typical sibling issues, there was a real sense of brotherly love. Each character was so well developed and you felt like you knew them ... they could be your next door neighbor, a childhood friend, the person checking you out at the grocery story. There are some difficult moments as you get lost in the story of Arthur ... from the father’s anger management, a teenager’s relationship with his teacher, the death of a family member, etc. Watching how Arthur handles each of these is endearing. Your heart will ache for him. But as you travel through Arthur’s growth into a young adult, you find yourself encouraging him to not give up and hope that he will finally have the one thing he wants more than anything in the world ... Nola!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

In Earth's the Right Place for Love, Elizabeth Berg offers a touching and insightful exploration of love, loss, and the intricate web of human relationships. Set in a quaint Midwestern town, the novel beautifully captures the essence of daily life while delving into the significant moments that shape our journeys.

Berg's storytelling is infused with warmth and sincerity, inviting readers into the lives of her well-drawn characters. The narrative centers around a close-knit group of friends and neighbors as they confront the challenges of aging, evolving relationships, and the inevitable changes life brings. Each character is richly developed, showcasing their unique quirks, aspirations, and vulnerabilities, making them both relatable and endearing.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Earth's the Right Place for Love is Berg's talent for expressing deep emotions with a delicate touch. Her writing is both poetic and approachable, filled with poignant observations that resonate on a personal level. The author expertly balances moments of humor and sorrow, highlighting the beauty of connection amid life's complexities.

Themes of love and resilience permeate the narrative, prompting readers to reflect on their relationships and the value of community. Berg skillfully illustrates the many forms love can take—romantic, familial, and platonic—reminding us that it often resides in the simplest of moments.

As the plot unfolds, unexpected twists and revelations keep readers engaged, leading to a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion. Berg’s ability to evoke nostalgia while embracing the present showcases her prowess as a storyteller.

Earth's the Right Place for Love is a beautifully crafted novel that resonates deeply. Elizabeth Berg encourages readers to contemplate the nature of love and the importance of cherishing the connections we build throughout our lives. This book serves as a heartfelt reminder that even amidst life's uncertainties, love remains the steadfast force that guides us. It’s a must-read for anyone in search of a moving and reflective literary experience.

DNF @ 38%

I honestly couldn't tell anyone what this book is about due to the fact that it didn't seem that the story was progressing anywhere. This is a prequel to a trilogy I now have no desire to read, based on the drab storyline of this book, revolving around a simple-minded teenager going through the immediate time period crushing on a girl who likes his older brother, wondering why his mismatched parents are still together, and thinking that failing high school math is okay since he won't need it in later life anyway. I feel like this story might be channeling Forrest Gump, but even that character had adventures, whereas the MMC in this one has not (so far as I read).

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

What a great collection of Christmas stories by 3 talented authors! I totally enjoyed this and you will enjoy them too. Get your copy and relax and read them. Thanks everyone for the great collection!

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

I have been an admirer of Elizabeth Berg's work since discovering "Open House" a long time ago. Her writing style feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a friend—relaxing and uplifting. In this book, we revisit Arthur Moses from "The Story of Arthur Truluv," delving into his past to understand the events that shaped him. Set in the 1950s, we see Arthur's teenage years and his bond with his brother Frank. Their life is challenging, with Frank often bearing the brunt of their abusive father's temper, possibly to shield Arthur. The brothers' coming-of-age and the subsequent tragedies define Arthur's outlook on life. We are also introduced to his wife Nola, and although I initially viewed her character unfavorably, I'm eager for another installment in the series to see Arthur in the prime of his life. Elizabeth Berg never fails to deliver a compelling read.

Before there was Arthur Truluv, there was Arthur Moses and his older brother Frank living in Mason, Missouri. Their father is an alcoholic, abusive father suffering the repercussions of serving in the military during the war. Arthur wishes his friendship with Nola McCollum, would be more than just friends but she only has eyes for his older brother Frank who has his own love forbidden love interest. Frank offers advice to Arthur about love and relationships and Arthur tries to help protect Frank from the bullying from his father. This is a touching story which provides insight into the love and loss experienced by Arthur as a youth and how it shaped him into the Arthur Truluv that everyone loves.

A heart warming story about friendships, family, resilience, managing life and unexpected events. The rewards of forgiveness and compassion.

Berg takes readers back to her story of Arthur Moses and tells of his youth and early adulthood. Arthur is the central character from The True Story of Arthur Truluv. Here we find him falling for Nola McCollum when they attend high school together. Unfortunately, Nola is interested in his brother.

The unrequited love for Nola defines Arthur’s life. His heart is set on the girl who thinks of him as a good friend. The friendship is touching but also sad. However, there are a couple of situations that involve issues that are not really addressed. Bad parenting and an inappropriate adult relationship should be red flags, but they get little attention.

The story may be predictable and Arthur may be unbelievably sweet, yet he’s so likeable that he warms your heart. His relationship with his brother Frank is also tender and moving and a highlight of the novel. The story is clearly set in an earlier era when dating was more chaste and that simplicity is nostalgic. While Arthur is shy and unassertive, Nola is popular and looking for a special boyfriend. Her friendship with Arthur is real and she genuinely enjoys her conversations with him, but she can’t see the truth of his feelings or his potential.

Perhaps loving the characters is enough to carry the plot. Berg writes with such tenderness. Her avoidance of tackling the tough issues she included was what kept my approval lower than most Berg books elicit from me. Still, an enjoyable and sweet novel.
3.5*

I hadn't read the Mason series prior to reading Earth's the Right Place for Love, but it's not required reading to enjoy Elizabeth Berg's prequel. She weaves a rich tapestry of characters, and I'll look forward to more of this family.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Economical and beautiful, this book is another shining example of what Berg does best: show us the beauty of the human heart in a world that sometimes tests our ability to see that beauty.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Earth's the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg is a prequel to her Mason series. I have read the first two books in the series, so when I saw that this book was about Arthur Truluv when he was growing up, I definitely wanted to read it. Arthur's real name is Arthur Moses, and this is the story of his early life. I loved getting to know his family. His father had issues and made mistakes, but in those days, you didn't admit you needed help. Arthur and Frank had such a great relationship. The were brothers but also best friends. I loved how much fun they had together growing up. Of course, we find out how he met his beloved Nola. This is a book that had all my emotions in play. I was laughing at their antics one moment, upset at another and in tears at other points. It is a beautifully written book, descriptive, yet quick moving. I was totally engrossed in Arthur's life and all that happened to him growing up. With well developed characters, and a down to earth story, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Earth's the Right Place for Love is beautifully written, heartwarming, and a wonderful coming of age story. Elizabeth Berg both wrote and narrated the story. I enjoyed her narration, as she was able to add emotion and expression where she intended when she wrote this one.

Earth’s the Right Place for Love

by Elizabeth Berg

I have read several novels by Elizabeth Berg. She excels at writing character driven novels. The first book I read by her was The Story of Arthur Truluv. I was enchanted by the character of Arthur, a kind, nonjudgemental, gentle, elderly man. In Earth’s the Right Place for Love, Berg returns to the character of Arthur as a sixteen year old. We learn that Arthur was the kind of person you could trust even as a teenager. He was always different from his peers. Never interested in sports, Arthur loved nature, especially plants. Most of the book follows his love for Nola who was cute, popular, and enjoyed Arthur’s friendship. Arthur wanted more, but never pushed for more from Nola who was very interested in Arthur’s older brother Frank.

I almost stopped reading the book during the first part because of physical abuse that happened when Arthur’s father was drunk. Those passages are not graphic but recognizing the occurrences is unavoidable. They ended about one-third of the way into the book. I was glad I just pushed on through as the rest of the book was so good. There is sadness to the book, but is is also a hopeful book with the main character mostly optimistic and patient.

Besides Arthur and Nola, Frank is another likable main character. He is bold, good at sports, and appeals to women. A sounding board and mentor for Arthur, Frank’s goal is to become a writer. The brothers’ relationship and Frank’s story are important parts of this novel. Their mother models love based on commitment. At times her actions make her seem weak, but actually she is strong and determined to keep her family together.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Notes: 1. Although the protagonist, Arthur Moses, is the same Arthur as found in The Story of Arthur Truluv, this novel is about Arthur as a boy and young man. The stories are not dependent on each other.
2. The setting of the story is the small town of Mason where Berg has set three other novels.
3. Warning of potential trigger for some readers: references to physical abuse.

Publication: March 21, 2023—Random House

Memorable Lines:

If nothing else, Arthur had learned this: love came in without knocking and stayed without your permission. And when hard times came between you and the one you loved, you didn’t run away. You stayed. His mother had told him that. His mother had demonstrated that.

“Remember, Pop was an orphan. And he didn’t get adopted until he was ten.” “Yeah, so?” “So it makes a difference, Arthur. Pop’s got a hole we won’t ever fill.”

The natural world was better than anything. He couldn’t say in words what it gave him, but he could feel it the minute he stepped outside: a kind of expansiveness and peace.

I tried to get into the book a few times, but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Perhaps if I’d read Arthur Truluv first, it would have made a difference.
I gave three stars because I think it was more about me than the book.

This beautiful coming of age novel provides the origin story for Arthur Truluv when he was just a shy teenager. I honestly didn’t read The Story of Arthur Truluv but I’m running to read it now!
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Thank you #smpress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This is the first book that i read by Elizabeth berg. I really enjoyed her writing. I think if i had read the other book i may have loved this book more. That being said it was still an enjoyable read for me and i would recommend it.

Thank you for the ARC netgalley.

I enjoyed Berg's latest delve into Arthur Truluv's past. He's a sweet teen boy with a love for Nola, a classmate. His brother is the athlete, the cool guy. His father is angry and his mother is just trying to hold it all together. I didn't think it flowed as well as other Berg books but it was a quick, entertaining read that gives the reader a glimpse of the events that created our beloved Arthur. We all should be so lucky to believe so wholeheartedly in love.

I absolutely love going back to Mason, Missouri with Elizabeth Berg. It just always feel like going home and being greeted with open arms. This is a wonderful book!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced readers copy. This book released March 21, 2023.

Confession. It’s been so long since I read Arthur Truluv, I went into this with no expectations - and was absolutely charmed. Gentle, touching,, and the right read at the right time.

What a beautiful, yet heartbreaking read. Elizabeth Berg develops characters so well and this book was no exception.