Since it has been a long time since I have read an Elizabeth Berg novel, I jumped at the chance and I wasn't disappointed. As always, her character development was excellent and the story flowed to perhaps a predictable, yet satisfying conclusion.
The familiar formula of the novel wasn't tarnished due to the well drawn characters of beloved Arthur, resilient Maddy and Lucille the pink tank who made their way into your heart mirroring their own experience in the book. Elizabeth Berg is all about relationships. Thank you for the ones developed in the pages of Arthur Truluv.

Having lost my Irish fireman uncle to the work of an arsonist, I eagerly chose this book. At times, I was not disappointed with the choice, but, at times, it did not deliver.
Fewer main characters more fully developed would have strengthened the book. Perhaps, a more in depth treatment of three generations would provide greater focus. I felt that I was just getting to know Katie McKenna and the book ended. I hope that a sequel will continue this thread because I did appreciate the writing and I did become involved with the characters.
It was a good book with the potential to be very good.

Although the prologue alerted me to the main thread of the story, I thought that this was a good read.
While some of the characters were not fully developed, the main characters were engaging. It was easy to like Helen and Abe; it was easy to hope that Mort and Rose would find some happiness. Natalie and Judith highlighted the younger generation and a sequel would be most welcome.

This entertaining book introduces you to a cast of quirky characters who are brought together by a series of events in their hometown of Promise Falls.
Main character David Harwood struggles to bring order to his personal life, but he becomes part of complicated family and community circumstances that are intertwined.
Clues are scattered throughout the book and we are left with some satisfying resolution as well as promise of things to come in a follow-up work.
My advance copy of this lengthy book received at the beginning of the week was finished in a few days. Enjoy!

The refined college professor Ellen is thrust into the role of military mom when her legal ward unexpectedly enlists. This brings her into the world of the coarse Lacey who is married a military man. Serious injuries to their family members bring them together at Walter Reed Hospital and they both endure the hardships that caretakers experience in this most emotional and straining situation. Each one handles their situation and in turn, help other military wives.
The families are front and center in this moving setting; we look at war and its consequences through them. Both women's strengths are tested and we view their plight and their aftermath.
I struggled a bit at the beginning of the novel, but my interest grew in relationship to the development of the characters.
The novel gives a necessary insight into the lives of those who stand behind and aside those who serve.

Eve Lattimore worked so hard to keep her family together and one rainy night's tragic occurrence illuminated the reality that each family member was an island harboring secrets against the backdrop of a medical condition that impacted each of their lives.

I enjoyed this engaging novel which would foster great discussion for book clubs. How well do you really know the ones you love? How far would you go to protect your family?

This debut novel was a jigsaw puzzle that caught your attention at the beginning and proceeded to put the pieces in place as pages were turned. The author puts you into Matthew's mind and from that vantage point all the other characters, their experiences and their foibles are explained. It is a very different presentation and your attention is held as you reach the ending which brings you back to the beginning of the novel.
I recommend this book.

When I was notified that I would be reviewing this book, I read Julia Keller's debut novel so I was already familiar with Belfa Elkins and the complex characters surrounding her in Ackers Gap.
I thought that this was a good read with story lines weaving their way throughout the book with suspense, well-developed characters and the author's love for the setting permeating the piece. Belfa personifies West Virginia and I look forward to the next book featuring this strong female character.

I always am fascinated by the ability of a male writers to develop a plausible female character and I believe that Jonathan Dee accomplished that task. Helen was believable and likeable as the main character who faced with adversity copes and indeed excels as she recreates herself by being true to her basic tenets. I thought that Sara reacted as a teenager caught in that situation would and I found it easy to dislike Ben, but I did understand Helen's feelings at the end. I felt that the disjointed tableau involving Hamilton weakened a novel that was otherwise strong in character development.