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Earth’s the Right Place for Love–young love and friendship
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.
The Last Party at Silverton Hall–historical and contemporary story lines
The Last Party at Silverton Hall
by Rachel Burton
Isobel inherits a large five-bedroom mansion from her grandmother Vivien. She is guilt ridden over not visiting her grandmother as much as she could have. After all, Vivien had raised Isobel, keeping her in their beloved Silverton Bay and out of British boarding schools when Isobel’s parents moved to America.
This is a family riddled with secrets. Isabel’s mother Gina and Gina’s mother Vivien never seem to have gotten along, and Isabel is not sure why. She never knew her grandfather Max, but he is a powerful presence in The Last Party at Silverton Hall. Many people in the town were aware of the family’s secrets which amazingly they guarded for years.
This work of historical fiction is told in a dual timeline. In this way the backstory of the family is gradually introduced as Isobel discovers it for herself by talking with long-time residents and unearthing pertinent documents.
Isobel is helped in her search for the truth by an old flame Nick with whom she shared an unforgettable kiss eighteen years prior, Neither is currently married and neither has achieved their original career goals. Nick, a trained physician, has a knack for restoring and flipping houses, and he offers his skills to Isobel as her large house is badly in need of a variety of repairs and renovations.
As secrets come to light, Nick and Isobel confront the past and prepare themselves for a future that they hope will include both of them and Silverton Bay.
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: Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Publication: March 2, 2023—Aria
Memorable Lines:
“Life never works out the way we think it will when we’re young. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be proud of what we achieve. Just because things turn out differently doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile.”
Secrets have a habit of being revealed, she knew that. But at the same time, when they were, they could blow a life into pieces.
Perhaps we all feel as though we have all the time in the world, and then, when that time inevitably runs out, it takes us by surprise.
Lessons at the School by the Sea–depressed characters
Lessons at the School by the Sea
by Jenny Colgan
Although there were two boys’ boarding schools in my home town in the the U.S., boarding school seems more important in British history and culture than it is in the United States. Jenny Colgan originally wrote this series about a pair of neighboring boys’ and girls’ boarding schools in Great Britain under a pen name at her publisher’s suggestion. They are currently reissuing The School by the Sea Series under the same name as her other popular books.
Having read the first book in the series, I was interested in revisiting the two schools and catching up with the characters. I was disappointed with the pace in Lessons at the School by the Sea. The characters are stymied by their respective roles and are frankly unlikable. There are two storylines. One focuses on the teachers and the other one on a core group of students. The two plot lines in the story overlap.
There is a new character in this addition to the series. Ismé is a scholarship student who keeps her three roommates at arm’s length. Suddenly, one of the roommates questions her own gender and sexual orientation and falls in love with Ismé because of a kiss in a play. The relationship seems contrived and unrealistic.
The only part of the book that truly got my attention is the efforts of David, who has to take a job teaching English literature to high school students at a low income school in a rough part of town. I was interested in his methods to draw the students in. He doesn’t give up even when they resist his attempts to get control so that he can actually teach them. He is somewhat naive but stands by his moral principles and has a positive effect on his students and the whole demoralized school.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 3/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult
Publication: March 7, 2023—Avon and HARPER
Memorable Lines:
“But everyone here is so rich and knows everything and how to get by…” Maggie stared out the window. “Nah,” she said. “They’re faking it just as much as anybody else. Posh people are just better at pretending.”
She couldn’t bear to think that any Downey girl—any student who had ever been in her care—would be capable of doing such a thing. But she knew this was bias, that people did do horrible things on the internet, every single second of the day.
“…if you behaved like a bad person, whatever your intentions, it was entirely possible that you would become one.”
Special Memorable Quote for Those Who Love All Things Bookish:
On Saturday morning she had driven all the way into Exeter, which had the nearest Paperchase, and spent a very happy hour there—like all book lovers, she had a special affinity with stationery and could happily spend half a day among it—choosing the finest, most beautiful writing paper and pen she could find.
Love in Harmony Valley Binge Wrap Up
In A Small Town Romance, Melinda Curtis paints a lovely picture of Harmony Valley, the setting of her Love in Harmony Valley series:
“Harmony Valley could have served as a backdrop for a Norman Rockwell painting. Old fashioned lamps lined Main Street. The buildings had brick fronts and canvas awnings. The wind blew brown and orange leaves down the road listlessly, as if even the elements knew the pace here was slow. The jury was out on whether it was off-the-grid, enjoy-your-time-off slow or bore me to tears slow.”
While A Small Town Romance is the last book I will read during this binge of the Love in Harmony Valley series which I have enjoyed, Melinda Curtis continues to rewrite and re-edit the books in this series. She is publishing one book per month. It appears the original series had 17 books including one novella.
Currently the ones shown on Amazon and Goodreads are:
#8 Finding Family in the Small Town—August 22, 2023
#9 A Small Town Girl with a Big City Secret—September 19, 2023
Thanks to my readers for sticking with me during my unusual binge. It’s probably a lot more fun to read the books than the reviews so your interest and loyalty are appreciated. Now we return to a variety of books just waiting to be read—ARC’s, Book Club reads, and personal choices.
If you missed any of the reviews, you can click on the book cover below for a quick link.
A Small Town Romance–writer of hurtful satire
A Small Town Romance
by Melinda Curtis
As the Love in Harmony Valley series continues, I have been looking forward to hearing more of Tracy’s story. We met her in the first book of the series, Dandelion Wishes. She had been Emma’s best friend and is Will’s sister. She has expressive (speech) aphasia as the result of an accident where Emma was driving. Her speech difficulty is hard enough in daily life, but imagine what it does to a marketing executive. She is currently working as a barista in the local coffee shop.
When Chad is fired from his position as a travel writer and head of company at the Bostwick Lampoon, he heads out to write his own caustic satire on the web starting with little Harmony Valley. The elderly residents are delighted that he is going to draw attention to their town bringing in tourists and new residents but are unaware of his satirical motives.
Tracy is attracted to the real Chad hidden inside the charming but deceptive exterior. He does have a kind heart and helps her with her speech. Unfortunately for their relationship, Tracy has done her research and is aware of the devastation he can bring to the little town and the people she loves in Harmony Valley.
A Small Town Romance provides a great look at these two characters. It shows the importance of self-confidence and helping others, putting their needs above your own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #7 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series. It could be a standalone but so many of the previously introduced citizens of Harmony Valley show up in this book that I think the enjoyment is enhanced by reading other books in the series.
2. This book is Tracy and Chad’s story.
Publication: July 18, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
Tracy used to love to flirt. She used to be the Queen of the One-Liners, the Princess of Comebacks, the Junior Miss of Verbal Jousting.
“It’s quite round.” Chad swirled the glass again and watched the wine drip slowly down the side. “And it has good legs.” Now he was speaking French. Liquid, people. It’s just liquid.
Mildred was no longer going to seize the day. She was going to walk in Martin’s and survive the day. Because that’s what one did after embarrassment in a small town. You held your head up and carried on.
A Small Town Memory–looking for a past and a future
A Small Town Memory
by Melinda Curtis
Jess shows up in Harmony Valley looking for her past. Specifically her husband or boyfriend. She is pregnant and had been in a car accident and lost her memory—retrograde amnesia. Seeing a newspaper clipping of the staff at the winery in Harmony Valley stirs her memory when she sees a familiar looking man. She meets him and discovers that he is not the baby’s father, Greg, but is his twin, Duffy.
Jess spent her childhood in a variety of homeless situations before her mother abandoned her to foster care, a loveless situation that left Jess longing for family and averse to anything that smacked of charity.
Harmony Valley could use a good bakery and coffee shop and Jess is a talented baker. Quitting her job and relocating to a new town when she is seven months pregnant, however, is a huge step to even consider.
I don’t want to include the many complications to the story that would be spoilers. Author Melinda Curtis does a great job of creating the scenarios and characters in A Small Town Memory. Duffy has good reasons for not wanting to have anything to do with Jess as do his parents. The elderly residents of Harmony Valley range from a curmudgeon with a shotgun to some sweet, nosy women who don’t mind encouraging romance while trying to save their town.
There are valuable lessons about giving and receiving kindness, forgiveness, and strength of character. Trust and family are also prominent themes. The protagonists, Jess and Duffy, are likable characters with hurts in their pasts. Goldie is a cute, spunky little dog that Duffy fosters. She teaches him that there are positives to responsibilities. The ever present silent character is “Baby,” as Jess refers to her unborn little one, saying things like “Baby doesn’t like spicy food.” The author describes the little one’s movements: “Baby bounced eagerly in her belly, ready for a sugar fix.” Duffy even learns to accept his neighbor Eunice with her gifts of odd foods and nosiness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #6 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series. It could be a standalone because the focus is on the new characters introduced in the series with previous characters just forming a background
2. This book is Jess and Duffy’s story.
Publication: June 20, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
Jessica’s heart wrenched. She would have loved to have been a part of a large family with a business like this one. She longed for such history. For family traditions and favorite recipes. For the simple state of belonging.
They drove to the vet’s office. Goldie rode on the truck’s center console as if she’d been riding in trucks all her life. For such a froufrou-looking dog, she had chutzpah.
Rose had rejection in her tone before the rejection ever came. “We’re so old, we don’t even buy green bananas. Taking in a pet at this point in our lives wouldn’t be wise.”
Forever Family in a Small Town–conquering addiction and the past
Forever Family in a Small Town
by Melinda Curtis
Melinda Curtis takes a lot of hurt and family dysfunction and weaves a story of trauma and secrets that will keep you turning pages. There are good reasons to root for Kathy, an alcoholic mother and Dylan, a horse and people whisper, not to mention Truman, Kathy’s son, and Zach, Dylan’s son. Both Kathy and Dylan are animal lovers, but that is not what pulls them together. As an alcoholic, Kathy is determined to stay sober for her son. Dylan has fallen behind in his child support payments by an injury incurred in a horse accident. When his ex-wife’s new husband sues for complete custody, Dylan has to work through his priorities.
With every book you read in this series, you become more involved in the lives of the people of Harmony Valley. Reading each book makes you feel like you know all of the characters better, not just the ones the focus is on. This is a dynamic series with depth and characters that will find a place in your heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #5 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series. It could be a standalone, but would be enjoyed better if read in sequence.
2 This book is Dylan and Kathy’s story.
3. Wondering how Kathy came to be a part of the Harmony Valley series? Kathy is Flynn’s younger stepsister and was dropped off to live with their grandfather by an alcoholic mother just as Flynn had been.
Publication: May 23, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
Zach, with his ready smile and buoyant attitude, was the balm to Dylan’’s spirits. With his son in his life, Dylan could bear any burden and ride out any storm.
Dylan’s hug was like being wrapped in a warm tortilla, surrounded by hearty fillings and double-wrapped in aluminum foil to preserve the heat. His was a hug that wasn’t an obligation, like the one Truman gave her every night. It was accepting. It was endearing. It was safe.
How did Kathy know it was love? Because she felt both calm and discombobulated when he was near. Because he made her feel normal and special all at the same time.
A Small Town Summer–horse whispering vet
A Small Town Summer
by Melinda Curtis
The first three books in the Love in Harmony Valley series focused individually on three young men who are business partners, Will, Flynn, and Slade and their romantic interests. The backbone of the series, the revitalization of the little town of Harmony Valley, continues in the fourth book A Small Town Summer. Work on the winery carries on with the discovery that a wine “cave’ will be needed for storage. The new hire is Shelby who will be the cellar master in charge of aging the wine. She is a former resident of Harmony Valley and is staying with her grandfather, Doc, a retired veterinarian.
A call is put out for the Harmony Valley descendants to come back to harvest the grapes. The winery needs help with picking the grapes, and the aging town residents hope some can be encouraged to settle in Harmony Valley. One of the “helpers” is Gage, a former best friend of Shelby and her deceased husband Nick. Gage is a vet who is known as a horse whisperer of birthing mares, the kind who may produce the next Secretariat.
One of the puzzles in this book is why Gage has not communicated with Shelby since Nick’s funeral. They were such good friends, and she is very hurt by his abandonment. He temporarily commits to work as a vet in Harmony Valley for two months before he moves to Kentucky to continue his specialized equine work.
In addition to the protagonists, the local elderly residents continue to play a role, frequently offering timely advice. Shelby befriends Mae who owns Dream Day Bridal where all the ladies used to buy their prom, bridal, and special occasion dresses. Married six times with three spousal deaths and three divorces, Mae knows a few things about love.
This book also includes a rescued St. Bernard and a number of other animals. Can Shelby be satisfied with taking in animals who need love? Can Gage find happiness across the country doing what he loves without a special someone in his life?
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: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #4 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series. It is probably not best as a standalone.Although the backstory is explained well, a lot of characters are mentioned that enrich the the story for readers of previous books but would probably just confuse those new to the series.
2. Melinda Curtis, as shown in other series she has written, has a knack for creating a background that unites her characters as they are gradually introduced in each book. This book is Shelby and Gage’s story.
Publication: April 18, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
The problem with being a relatively new widow were all the “firsts.”…Firsts were gut-clenching, cold moments. They closed her throat, flooded her eyes, and cut off her breath. It took time to process them. To acknowledge the innocence, to accept things would never be the same again, and to release the melancholy.
The weight of their scrutiny finally broke her. “Sure. Of course. I’ll consider it.” Shelby blurted, feeling as fake as a two-dollar wine paired with a filet mignon.
Mae’s living room walls were a cheerful purple, as were her carpet, couch, and a recliner. She wore a short purple cotton robe, displaying a set of mottled, knobby knees leading down to purple fluffy mules….Mae’s house was purple everywhere. She loved the color. It was powerful and passionate. “I’m a single woman. I can do as I please.”
A New Beginning in a Small Town–overcoming the past
A New Beginning in a Small Town
by Melinda Curtis
Each book in the Love in Harmony Valley series focuses on different protagonists, but the setting is the same small town of about 80 people. There are relationship issues centered around the backgrounds of the characters and around efforts to revive the little town. Characters from one book recur in the next.
In previous books, a trio of young millionaires is introduced: Will and Flynn who are programmers and Slade, the businessman. Each of the friends has difficulties and it takes the right woman to help them sort those problems out. Will has Emma, and Flynn has married Becca. Their stories are in the first two books of the series.
In A New Beginning in a Small Town, the three are finally getting their winery established. As beer drinkers they need to get an excellent winemaker if they want to use the winery to reboot the small town. One of the local councilwomen puts her granddaughter Christine in the competition. Christine has a great reputation, comes from a line of winemakers, and needs a change. She is also a strong woman and looks beautiful whether in a designer evening gown or in her winery “uniform” of shorts and a ratty T-shirt bearing a band logo.
She has to make sure the trio are in this project for the long term. Slide is her immediate boss, and he doesn’t seem very committed. Is Christine the right person to save the winery and Slade who is clearly hurting?
What is it with the expensive silk ties that Slade always wears and fingers nervously even in terrible heat or on manual labor projects? Why does Evy, Slade’s ex-wife suddenly drop off their twins, with Gothic attire, wide-eyed, and totally silent? Melinda Curtis’ descriptions of Slade and the twins are excellent; it is very easy to picture them.
Slade’s neighbor, “old man Takata,” is an interesting, wise character and holds some keys to Slade’s past. With Christine’s help, the twins gradually open up. The ending of the book has some surprising, chaotic scenes that reveal a lot of the various characters’ motivations. Like Christine, the reader will waffle between wanting to shake some sense into Slade and hug away his pain. Kudos to Melinda Curtis on a well executed romance that addresses a very serious subject in a respectful manner.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #3 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series, but could be read as a standalone because of the excellent summary the author gives of both the town’s and Slade’s situations.
2. Melinda Curtis, as shown in other series she has written, has a knack for creating a background that unites her characters as they are gradually introduced in each book. This book is Christine and Slade’s story.
Publication: March 21, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
“When you’re younger than everyone else and smart, earning scores that skew the grading curve, you have to develop survival skills. Like smiling. And when that failed, I became good at blending in with the crowd and being a good listener.”
“Success, for me, became mandatory, the route to proving to my dad that life was worth living.”
“Can’t just means you won’t.”
A Small Town Second Chance–the heart of a caregiver
A Small Town Second Chance
by Melinda Curtis
Becca MacKenzie is a young widow and a caregiver. Her clients love her for her compassionate and caring spirit. She is trustworthy and honorable. Unfortunately, fulfilling a client’s last wishes and following legalities of wills and trusts do not always line up. Becca makes some difficult choices that come back to bite her legally.
She arrives in Harmony Valley to deliver a ring to an aging widow from a former beau. In the process, she is hired to care for Edwin who has just been released from the hospital. His handsome grandson Flynn has earned considerable wealth as a programmer, but is currently living with Edwin to take care of him and to establish a winery with hopes of revitalizing the town of Harmony Valley.
Flynn is a caregiver in his own way, acting as a handyman fixing house problems for the aging residents. Coming from a dysfunctional family, Flynn is raised by Edwin but now finds himself in the middle of lots of issues—familial, business, and relationship—as he and Becca try to not fall for each other.
A Small Town Second Chance addresses serious issues, but it has characters that will make you smile. There is amusing banter among the trio of men building the winery. Rose, Agnes, and Mildred are strong-willed elderly women who don’t try to stay out of everyone’s business. Abby is a sweet, comfort service dog who travels with Becca and is as compassionate as she is. Truman is Flynn’s step-sister’s son who seems to shoulder heavy burdens for an eight year old. As happened to Flynn as a youngster, Truman’s mother drops him off at Edwin’s house. Truman is sad but flourishes under the care of Becca, Flynn and Edwin who work to make him feel needed and loved. Pennies hold a special symbolism in the book, and Becca’s “House Rules,” many of which are created to keep Flynn at a distance, are lots of fun.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #2 in the Love in Harmony Valley Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. Melinda Curtis, as shown in other series she has written, has a knack for creating a background that unites her characters as they are gradually introduced in each book. This book is Flynn and Becca’s story.
Publication: July 28, 2023—Franny Beth Books
Memorable Lines:
“It wasn’t easy to stay until the end. The ability to stay says a lot about a person.”
“I can fix things for my mom, and she’ll be happy.” Flynn remembered thinking the exact same thing when he was a kid. He wanted to be indispensable. An insurance policy for any kid who felt disposable.
“Symbols are important. That’s why we cherish wedding rings and family heirlooms.” Her delicate chin jutted out. “They remind us of love, of what’s honorable in the world, and how we’ve made our mark on it.”
education pathways 