I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and Random House.

The Story of Arthur Truluv is about friendship, family, and the ties that bond us together.

Arthur is a recently widowed man whose days are filled with the mundane routines he’s developed to keep him from missing his beloved wife so much he’s unable to function.

Maddy is a 17-year old girl, with no real understanding of love. She’s latched on to a man whom she’s decided is meant to save her from what she’s deemed an unfulfilling life, but eventually discovers the “love” is one-sided at best.

Her father is present in her life, but he’s been emotionally absent since Maddy’s mother passed away when Maddy was only two-weeks old.

Lucy is a never-married woman of 80+ years. She built a world she once thought would house a life filled with a husband, children, and all the extras such bring. However, still single and with few prospects, she’s begun to wonder if she’ll ever experience the sublime happiness she once thought would be hers.

The simplest circumstances bring the roads of each of these individuals together, forming a bond and a family that is as unlikely as you’ll ever find. It is in that forming we are able to understand the crux of each one of their desires—and it is that journey towards understanding that kept me captivated.

While bittersweet, this is a beautiful story about love and how we’re never too young, or old, to discover its magic.

It’s also about how we define what a family is, and how bloodlines aren’t always the primary prerequisite.

The cover of this book made me think of the movie "Up!" which is why I requested it. I find stories that capture the relationship between young people and older people enchanting. Arthur is not a grumpy old man, though he is lonely. He visits the cemetery every day to share lunch with his deceased wife and one day meets a young teen named Maddie who is also starved for connection with people. Arthur reaches out to her and without hesitation invites her into his sphere. She is doubtful of his friendship and invitation to visit anytime; he is quick to reassure that she she should have "come yesterday". Arthur recognizes the need for human interaction in those in his neighborhood and seeks to include them. He opens his home to a troubled teen and a grieving neighbor and the three of them form a unique family that has such a deep bond even though nothing else connects them. It's really magical to experience. Berg has done a masterful job of exploring the ideas of love and acceptance and the gentle caring for each other. This book makes me realize: it really can be this easy to love our neighbors - and what a rich blessing to all involved when we choose to be open and accepting.

Additionally, Berg has some exquisite writing in this novel. She has a way of writing and my heart responds: "Yes, that's exactly how it is/was/feels".
One of my favorite quotes from the book is this: For everything there truly is a season; if his life's work has not taught him that, it has taught him nothing. The birth of spring, the fullness of summer, the push of glory in the fall, the quiet of winter. (location 2279)

A beautiful emotionally charged story of three lonely people who find each other and form a family that transcends blood ties. Each character has had to deal with loss and loneliness and the bond that Berg builds between them throughout the story ultimately serves to provide the love that had been missing in their lives. Berg always creates characters that have heart and her novels never fail to pull you in from page one.

This book was a light, heart-warming story of finding family (the people you choose, not the people related by blood) in the unlikeliest of people. It had a very 'A Man Called Ove' feel to it.

Arthur lives alone and has lunch every day with his dead wife at the cemetery. Maddy is a troubled teen, who's bullied at school, has problems at home, and has just been dumped by her "boyfriend" and spends a lot of her school day hanging out at the cemetery. Lucille is Arthur's next door neighbor- a lonely woman who's a bit if a busybody. How these three come to form a family shows us how family is sometimes what we make it, not what we're born to. Loved this book.

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
I have read several books by Elizabeth Berg and liked them, that is the reason why I requested this advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This feel good story about Arthur, who has lost his wife recently, his neighbor Lucille and a teenage girl, Mandy just didn’t feel true to me. Both Arthur and Lucille are in their eighties. Arthur visits his wife’s grave daily and eats his lunch by the gravesite, talking to his Nola. It is in the cemetery that he meets Mandy, a lonely teenage girl, whose mother died shortly after her birth in a car accident and she was brought up by a very unhappy Dad. Lucille is the nosy neighbor, who bakes and shares goodies with Arthur. How these three individuals form a “family” is the subject of the book. The first half was reasonable enough, but later it got totally far fetched with Lucille starting cooking classes, moving in with Arthur, etc. overall these book was disappointing to me, no more than three stars.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and Elizabeth Berg for the advanced copy.

What a truly wonderful, beautifully written story. I’ve read a few books by Elizabeth Berg and have loved every single one of them. This one is special. Its an interesting view on life and living and the intricate events that happen in people’s lives that create the path they take in life. Sometimes you believe that everything happens for a reason and sometimes lives are taken from us too soon. Occasionally you find your family in people that are not related by birth or marriage, but by soul and life. Those are the relationships that this book touches upon and this story resonated with me. To feel alone in the world and then find others that somewhat feel the same way for one reason or another is a special occurrence. To come together to create a family bond with such individuals is a unique and beautiful event.

This book made me cry happy tears at the end, especially in seeing how Maddy’s life turns out. The Story of Arthur Truluv was a truly beautiful story and I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading for enjoyment. If you enjoy reading fictitious stories that feel realistic and make you think about life and living, this is a compelling novel you won’t want to miss.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. This is one of those stories that you finish, and just want to start reading all over again! This is the story of Arthur. Everyday Arthur makes a trip to the cemetery to visit the grave site of his departed wife. He notices that a young girl is hanging out in the cemetery every day as well so one day he strikes up a conversation. It was as simple and as complex as that. Arthur and Maddy (the girl from the cemetery) form a friendship that completely changes everything about their lives. Once they open their lives to each other, they find they have room to let even more people in along the way.

There just aren't enough stories that remind us of how little effort it takes to enrich our lives by simply starting a conversation, taking notice of others around us, saying hello. Our world has so much social media, but so little personal contact, and I feel we are poorer for it. This book is so touching and thought provoking and sweet in the best possible way. This is a must read!

I always enjoy Elizabeth Berg's books, but I love her Arthur Truluv. The characters are so much bigger and stronger than they first appear and this book is nothing short of why reading daily should be a must! The depth, humanity, acceptance and gentle care Berg's characters show each other and how we ought to notice and move in the world and with people around us is precious. I love this book. It is short, very sweet and will continue to swirl in my head like a lovely, warm brandy.

What a wonderful story! You may feel all sorts of emotions as you read this book. Some happy, some sad, some good, and some bad. I absolutely love Arthur, Lucille, and Maddy! Which one of these wonderful people will you relate to the most? The love and the frustration of the characters in this story were well written. I love all my not related by blood family members! I really didn’t want to say goodbye at the end of the story.

A charming and whimsical novel with touches of melancholy, "The Story of Arthur Truluv" tells the story of unlikely friendships and invites us see how very much they matter. Arthur is 82 and grieving the loss of his wife; Maddy is 17 and trying to cope with being a high school outcast. Arthur's quirky neighbor, Lucille, may be my favorite character: exceptionally annoying, terribly managing, and yet strangely vulnerable. Berg's writing shines, and she doesn't allow the story to wallow in shallow sentimentality. The book is reminiscent of Frederik Backman's "A Man Called Ove," and should also appeal to those who enjoyed "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry." (Also wonderful appearances by Gordon the Cat).

Sometimes I'm on the fence with Berg's books. They tend to be shorter than average and sometimes I think she just skims the surface. This one I enjoyed though. Arthur is a sweet old man and the way he befriends Maddy is heart warming. I really believe that biology doesn't always make a family and it's a powerful message.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of The Story of Arthur Truluv. Add this book to your TBR list because it comes out November 21st. Oh my. I didn't want this book to end. I made myself slow down so it wouldn't be over. We live in such a messed up world and this book along with books such as A Man Called Ove, Close Enough To Touch, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine are examples how we are better when we are with other people. There is something magical when broken, quirky people come together in the most unusual ways and make their way through life together. This is a gem of a book. My only real complain is that some of the writing felt weak. I know there was a certain tone that Berg was trying to create but there were a few times that sentences just didn't make sense. The story however redeemed any weakness there might have been. I would read this book again and again. Now to go sniffle in book coma.

What a beautiful story.

This is the story of Arthur Moses, aka Arthur Truluv, an 80-something year old man who lost his wife Nola and visits her grave every day. While there he meets Maddy, a young girl who is struggling to find her place in this world. Together, along with Arthur's neighbour Lucille, they build a friendship which brings them all out of isolation and creates a family unit - one that helps them heal from past hurts and move towards a happier future.

Arthur reminded me a little of Ove, from A Man Called Ove - with only the awesome, kind, loveliness and none of the stubbornness we first encounter when we meet Ove. Just like Ove, Arthur brings people together and builds a relationship that extends beyond him.

All I can say about this is that ... it's a "soft" story - full of lovely people who mean good, people who are aiming for better, and a story that shows us a gentle part of the world. If you are looking for a well written novel, one that will leave you with some tears on your face and your heart full of love - this is the book for you.

A lovely read. Recommended.

A lovely, sentimental book about aging and what makes someone part of your family. The three main characters are interesting, likeable and funny. This is a sweet book, that while a little predictable, I read in 1 day. I didn't want to put it down until I found out what happened to Arthur, Lucille and Maddy.

Perfect book for all the lovers of "A Man Called Ove." This charming tale of a lonely widower, his flirtatious baking neighbor, and a depressed high school senior pulls all the right strings without being coy, smarmy, or syrupy.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC of The Story of Arthur Truluv in exchange for an honest review.

Arthur is an elderly widower who is very devoted to his wife who has passed. Every afternoon he packs a lunch and a chair and heads to her grave. While there he chats with his wife and makes up stories about her neighbors.

Maddy is an unhappy high schooler. She has no friends and a crappy boyfriend who just dumped her. Maddy also spends time at the cemetery in attempts to avoid HS.

Lucille is what people would call a "busy body." She loves to bake and get into everybody's business. But she also has her own heartbreak to deal with.

Through this story, three very unlikely characters find each other and learn a lot about love, patience, and family.

I just LOVED this story, it really warmed my heart. Very idealistic, but also kind of believable? I perfect example of how we can be angels on earth for each other during times of great need.

Some sexual content and language.

Arthur goes to the cemetery every day to have lunch with his late wife. There he meets Maddy , an unhappy high school student and they become friends. If you enjoyed The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, A Man Called Ove, or Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, give Elizabeth Berg’s new book a try.

Perfect for a book club! So much meaning behind the characters - Arthur Moses rescues like his Biblical namesake was rescued. Family is where you find it and love can conquer our demons.

Some books are just too sweet, sentimental and syrupy for my taste. Although I enjoyed this lovely book of two people coming together, being catalysts in each other's lives and moving toward the inevitable ending, I found this a bit predictable and derivative.

Arthur and Maddy meet in a cemetery, their friendship causes both to change and reexamine their lives and futures. Handled as a delicate read, it is a lovely way to spend a tearful afternoon and wish we could all find a mensch like Arthur.