The word "poignant" exists for the very sake of describing books like this. A very sweet coming-of-age book from what we think of as an easier era of time. This is the kind of book that could easily lean towards the saccharine, but Berg is skilled at providing just the right balance of "life" for her readers. You'll finish reading this with a smile on your face, I promise.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's such a sweet read!

I believe this is the first book from this author i have. This is a sentimental sweet read that has lots of substance to it. Enjoyable and i recommend this. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC i exchange for a honest review.

This book is a prequel to the Arthur Trulove/Mason series.

Although I am not usually a fan of "coming of age" stories, this book eventually captured my attention. It was heart-wrenching to see Arthur face challenges and put himself on the back burner for those he loved.

The book's portrayal of Arthur's early 1950s life made me nostalgic for a simpler time when taking a girl out on a date only cost $1.50 for a meal, and a kiss on the cheek was swoon-worthy.

I have read and enjoyed the previous books in the Mason series, and this prequel ties the series together nicely.

Heartwarming small-town journey filled with engaging charters, intriguing story line, witty banter, heart racing twists and emotional heart-string pulling. A great read from beginning to end and it makes me want to read the rest of the series.

It is so much fun to get to see the back story to some of your favorite characters in novels. Arthur Moses (Truluv) from 'The Story of Arthur Truluv' is one such endearing character. I fell in love with him in the first book and I am now deeper in love after reading this one - his coming of age story! Well done characters with emotion and compassion - it is a sentimental novel, as was the first one. As I said about the first novel - it leaves you with a smile and a warm heart.

Sweet story of a boy to a young man as he meets the love of his life. Not the same Arthur as in her other books, but you could imagine this boy is very similar as he may have been in his youth. A story that tells of an old fashioned,kind, long standing love. A coming of age story of a simple young man in the Midwest. It is a quick easy read with a lot of heart. As most of her books do, this one will put you in mind of how things were in the generation before us-- simple and uncomplicated but not without the same insecurities of youth. I was provided an advanced reader copy of the book but was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I absolutely loved this book about Arthur Moses. The characters in the book, Nola McCollum, a girl in his class who became an important person in his life, his brother Frank, and his parents, to name a few, are exciting and unforgettable. A sudden tragedy alters Arthur's life forever, and he is forced to confront his grief and figure out how to move on. He also loves Nola unconditionally and is waiting for her to realize that. This novel is beautifully written, heartwarming, and full of beautiful quotes I highlighted while reading.

I love Elizabeth Berg's writing and I was especially glad to read this account of Arthur as a teenager since I've enjoyed him so much in the books where he is much older.

The characters are authentic and believable - and likeable. The setting is familiar to anyone who has read the previous books and it's a very cozy feeling to be in this small town again with the friendly residents. The storyline is great - - it's a coming of age story but also a thought-provoking story of life. Its happiness and its sadness.

I was sorry to see this book end - - and I'm looking forward to the next one!

I have not read the rest of the Mason series so I am very glad that I was able to start with the prequel.

Mason is a small town in Missouri. Arthur Moses is a shy young man. Not very popular. Not outgoing. And incredibly in love with Nola McCollum or at least he thinks he is.

He’s thrilled when they become friends until he finds out that she has a crush on his brother, Frank.
Frank is already involved with someone else but their relationship must stay secret.

Tragedy strikes Mason, Missouri. We follow Arthur through the process of grief and his growing relationship with Nola.

This was a sweet story about some great characters that I plan on following throughout the rest of the series.

I read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Earth's the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg is a beautifully written book about how a young man navigates his life, including the love and sorrow he encounters.

Elizabeth Berg never disappoints and this title proves it. For my readers who are asking for a "book-book" just a really wonderful story will love this one as much as I did. Oh, Arthur. I loved Arthur and the wisdom he carried and his perspective on so many things. There were so many quotable quotes in here it was hard to keep up with all of the gems. I highly recommend it.

I have been reading Elizabeth Berg's novels happily for years and I see no reason to stop now!

I have read all of the books in this Mason, Missouri series and enjoyed each heartwarming one. Author Berg decided we needed Arthur (Truluv) Moses' origin story and I am so glad.

It's 1947 when we meet young Arthur and find his love for Nola started then and never wavered. Although, Nola it seems has a crush on Arthur's beloved older brother Frank. And Frank is in love with someone else, but has to keep it a secret. Arthur's parents' marriage seems an unhappy one and Arthur copes by being as good and helpful as he can, shrinking away from his father's anger.

There are certainly moment of humor and good-natured fun, but ultimately this is a story of the tragedy, grief and hardship that formed Arthur. He finds solace in nature and poetry and finds beauty in all things. We clearly see how this shaped the Arthur we met in the novel, Arthur Truluv.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Random House for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Earth's the Right Place for Love is a prequel to Elizabeth Berg's The Story of Arthur Truluv. In true Berg fashion, this book will rip your heart out and stomp on it, but also warm your heart and touch deep. Beautiful writing and a lovely return to Mason, Missouri.

This is a story about Arthur, a shy teenager who has developed a crush on Nola, a girl in his class. Arthur works on a plan to help his friendship with Nola blossom even further, and his older brother Frank is a good source of advice for him. Frank shares some of his own romance story with Arthur and the brothers relationship grows stronger as well. After a tragedy strikes the family, Arthur struggles with his grief and turns to those close to him and to nature to help him process his emotions. This book is the prequel to the Arthur Truluv books.
The story was very touching and the characters were very believable. A very enjoyable book. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy in exchange my honest review.

EARTH’S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR LOVE by Elizabeth Berg is an installment in my favorite series of all time. We finally get to learn how Arthur connects to the love of his life, Nola, and so many little pieces are filled in through this storyline. Learning about Arthur when he was a teenage boy and about his family explains so much about how he reacts to Maddy and his embrace of her situation in THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment as much as the others. I can’t recommend this series enough and I will absolutely go back and read them in order now. The writing in beautiful, the story robust, and the characters are fully developed. A great use of reading time this summer for everyone!

I have been an Elizabeth Berg fan for many years and have read at least half a dozen of her previous works. I can honestly say that Earth's the Right Place for Love is my favorite.
Charming is such an old fashioned word but it absolutely was charming, warm, and comforting like my grandmother's sponge cake fresh from the oven. We follow Arthur from preadolescence into adulthood. He is a good boy, a nice boy and remains that way throughout. He idolizes his older brother and is in love with a girl who only sees him as a friend. One can't help rooting for him. There are a few schmaltzy moments but who cares?
I thought it was wonderful.

I received a drc from the publisher via Netgalley.

What? Elizabeth Berg wrote a novel that brings back Arthur from The Story of Arthur Truluv? Not just brings him back, but shows us Arthur as a young man. Yes, please!!

Once again, Elizabeth Berg brings us the perfect feel-good novel.

It’s 1947 and Arthur is 16. He has a crush on Nola, the prettiest girl in school, but unfortunately, she likes his older brother Frank and only thinks of Arthur as a friend.

This was such a sweet, old-fashioned coming-of-age story.

I enjoyed every minute with the characters, the relationships developed, the advice given, and the lives lived. I received an ARC of the book.

I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Berg’s writing for years. Reading her books is like visiting with a longtime, best friend - comforting, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the simplicity of this love story yet also relished the many layers of human emotions highlighted. I hope that Berg will grace readers with many more!

So happy to se a new book by Elizabeth Berg. I love her style and story telling writing. She makes you feel as if you are in the same presence as the story. This was a beautiful novel about people growing up in Missouri. I love her detailed information and how she keeps the story flowing. Arthur Moses was a shy young man who grew up to become a compassionate man. He loved trees and nature. He took time with people and really listened. He lost his brother Frank but knew that life must go on. He eventually will find true love and live to be a happy person.

This sweet story set in the late 40s/early 50s covers a slice of the life of a young man named Arthur Moses from his teens to early 20s, including his relationship with his brother and parents, and the young woman he is infatuated with, along with a portrayal of everyday life in their small town Mason, Missouri.

So, this is one of those books that’s set in the past but not really historical fiction in the sense some think of it as it’s more about the characters and their lives. It’s also the type of book I’ve apparently become fond of calling a quiet, lovely novel. It’s by turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, but always heartfelt.

If you have read Berg’s wonderful book The Story of Arthur Truluv, it’s set in the same town in Missouri in 2016 and one of the main characters is the very same Arthur as an old man. Although this new release is a prequel, you definitely don’t have to have read that one since it’s set so many decades later, but if you like either one, I highly recommend the other book, as well as Berg’s two other books set in Mason, as all the books are just so poignant and lovely.