Sometimes you just need to read a sweet feel good book and The story of Arthur Truluv was exactly that. Arthur, a man in his 80’s is a recent widower who is missing his true love. Maddy, is a teenager who has never felt love but is desperately looking for it. This unlikely pair meet at the cemetery and they have formed a special friendship. Arthur is such a sweet and caring soul and he gives Maddy and his lonesome neighbor, Lucille, a special gift of acceptance and love. Maddy calls him “Truluv”. This is a wonderful story based on kindness and understanding . I loved Arthur’s sense of humor and he really was a Truluv.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and his is my honest review.

What a delightful novel! I am grateful for having got the opportunity to read it. The plot has a slow pace, but it is not boring at all. We meet the three protagonists whose aspects the author takes up in turns. They all are very loveable people despite of (or together with) their failings. Arthur is a warmhearted, elderly widower who reminds you a little of the characters of Ove (A Man Called Ove) or another Arthur (The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper). They all are unforgettable characters. Maddy, the young person in this unlikely "family unit" is also struggling with a huge loss in her life and has to endure bullying at school. The caring love of the two elderly people, Arthur and Lucille gives her the self-esteem and strength to stand up for herself and build herself a happy life.
This story will make you smile and cry (at one point I even laughed out loud). You will lose yourself into it and will treasure the experience. A lovely read. I recommend it to everyone.

Twenty years ago I stumbled on the book Range of Motion, and I have read all of Elizabeth Berg's since then! I love her books and I love the people in her books. Her new book, The Story of Arthur Truluv, is one of her best. I read it quickly and could not, and did not want to put it down. Her writing is so clear and the warmth shows through. Please read Elizabeth Berg's books! You will never be disappointed.

What an great novel!!! The Story of Arthur Truluv was moving, emotional and heartwarming. Elizabeth Berg created a beautiful storyline that snagged it's claws into my heart and held on until the very last page. The characters were genuine and their sincerity truly came through the pages! My favorite part of this novel is seeing the characters make a "family" out of friends. Most novels have an age range for it's target audience, but this 5 star book is meant to be read by EVERYONE!! I would recommend The Story of Arthur Truluv to people in their late teens all the way to hundred year olds-- it has something for everyone. I have always enjoyed reading Elizabeth Berg's books, but Arthur Truluv could quite possibly be my favorite from her!! I can't wait to see what she come up with next!!

Elizabeth Berg is masterful at creating fully human characters! A touching, authentic and inspiring story. Will share widely with friends.

4 1/2 Stars
A delightful read from the first to last page. A sweet story of second chances with a cast of characters you can't help falling in love with! One you won't want to miss!

The Story of Arthur Truluv is deceptively simple and sweet. The beauty and depth of the relationships Arthur cultivates sneak up on you and envelop you in a loving embrace. While Arthur is central to the story, it isn't his alone, it is also Maddy's story, and it is Lucille's story. It is the story of family. "What is it that makes a family? Certainly no document does, no legal pronouncement or accident of birth. No, real families come from choices we make about who we want to be bound to, and the ties to such families live in our hearts."
After reading The Story of Arthur Truluv, I want an Arthur in my life. You will, too.

Fabulous. Heartrending. Textured. Once again Berg writes to the heart in this novel of loneliness, taking power over your life and love

Reading good books gives me the perfect break from the harsh realities of the world. But there are times when I feel like I’ve been reading fiction with too much darkness and tragedy. So it was an engaging escape to read Elizabeth Berg’s charming new book, “The Story of Arthur Truluv.” A teenage girl and two much older adults meet and connect in an unexpected manner, and through their friendship they find healing from their grief and loneliness and the possibility of experiencing fulfilling new chapters in their lives. Yes, the book is sweet and somewhat sentimental, but the touching and uplifting story was an entirely satisfying way to spend a lazy summer day.

My review was posted on Goodreads on 7/30/17

This is a charming story about the beauty of human connections. I fell in love with all three of the main characters and their self-made family.

I LOVED everything about this book right down to all the quirky characters.
Building your own family, that's what love is all about.

The extra insight that Arthur was able to give us at the cemetery was quite fascinating.

"I need an Arthur in my life"

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely story. Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy. Full review closer to publication date.

Sweet story that has all the feels. I was given this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Read it!

I absolutely loved this story of three lonely people who come together as a family with heartwarming details and lots of laughs.

The style of writing reminded me very much of Frederik Backman and I truly love his books.

My first book by this author, however, it won't be my last.

A very emotional, poignant and funny, at times, story that will either leave you needing tissues, or at least with tears in your eyes.

Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Such a sweet, lovely book. After all of the dark suspense novels I've been reading, this was a welcome change. A tender hearted story about 3 very different people befriending one another. A bit sappy, but filled with poignant and true quotes and words to love by. No highs or lows in this book, just a sweet story about the goodness in people. Thank you netgalley and Random House for this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Arthur Moses misses his wife so badly that he goes to the cemetery every single day to have lunch with her. One day he spots a young girl there and the two of them become unlikely friends. Maddy is the young girl that has had a sorta bad life. Her mom died when Maddy was just a couple of weeks old and her dad is very unemotional towards Maddy. (I felt this was kinda lame..I've seen and read way more serious life problems but what do I know..not much. I do know I thought one part of Maddy's story was funky. (view spoiler)

They along with the weird lady that wears a crooked wig and Arthur's cat forge a sweet little book. It's one of those that a friend of mine used to call a "potato chip" book.

You kinda wanted it at the time but you never felt really full.

(It did kinda feel like a trying to hard version of the much better A Man Called Ove)

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review

Arthur visits the grave of his wife Nola daily. He brings his lunch, sits down and tells her what’s going on in the world. He also looks at the surrounding graves and gets a good sense of who those people were. He sees them clearly. When he spots a young girl under a tree, he waves, unaware that this is the start of a wonderful relationship.

Maddy feels alone. She doesn’t fit it at school. At home, her father is not the warm and fuzzy kind of guy. Her mother died when she was a baby. She has a rather one-sided relationship with an older guy. When she starts talking to Arthur, who she calls Truluv because of his positive outlook on life, her world opens up for her. When she finds herself pregnant, Arthur opens his door to her.

And then there is Lucille. Lucille lives next door and she is as lonely as Arthur. Tragedy strikes for her and she finds herself drawn into this thrown together family of three.

This is just a lovely little story about family. Sometimes you don’t choose your family, it chooses you. It is a story filled with love and kindness and I challenge you to not feel your heart happy by the end. Definitely a feel good book that you have to pick up. I have been reading a lot of thriller/mysteries lately and love those but every so often, I need a book that just makes me smile and this is it.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review.

I would rate this a 3.5 but rounded up to a 4. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I felt the book is a little too contrived and simplistic for me, and similar in style to A Man Called Ove and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, both of which I did not like at all. For many who loved those two books, you will probably like this book. I liked this book better which is why I rounded up as it had a bit more substance and much better written. It's probably a good beach read with a "feel good" ending.

First off, let me pat myself on the back for flying through this novel so quickly. It appears lately no matter how much I love or hate a novel, I still read it at snail's pace. This time was different. I came, I read, I reviewed, then conquered. With that out of the way... let's get to it!

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg is the second novel I've read from her. Berg introduces us to Arthur, Maddy, and Lucille. Each going through life, alone so-to-speak, but determined to make it better. With the company and aide of each other, they form a makeshift family that blood couldn't make better.

Arthur Moses meets Maddy Harris in the cemetery he visits daily to have lunch with his late wife, Nola. He can tell there's something different about her and that she may be troubled since no teenager hangs out in a cemetery when they should be at school or almost anywhere else.



From the beginning, I loved loved loved Arthur. He's so loyal and in love with his wife. His purely good nature just oozes off the pages and makes you all warm inside. He's as sweet as the baked goods Lucille produces that melt in your mouth and heart.



Each character has their own internal war going on but they keep pushing forward with the help of each other. They form a bond that fills the void left after losing a loved one or when you wake up and don't find life has much purpose anymore. Even when you're young and life has no meaning for you, it's time to reevaluate things.

"Oh, Arthur, no one even sees you when you get old except for people who knew you when you were young.".

Elizabeth Berg spares no expense in providing well rounded characters who feel as if they are living and breathing, sitting next to me, as I'm reading their story. She even brings to life the grumpy cat to a point where I felt I knew him. Nola, who's dead lives on in the pages as well. Even in the moments that were heartbreaking (enter Lucille's story), the plot felt real and authentic.

I truly loved reading The Story of Arthur Truluv. This is the second novel I've had the pleasure of reading by this author and she did not disappoint. This novel is inspiring and tells the story that even when the chips are down, there is hope in finding what we all are looking for.

Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley

I was so excited the publisher granted my wish on NetGalley for an ARC of this book. It's a quick read and not one that is too taxing to think about.

The story of Arthur, Maddy, and Lucille and how they come together to be there for one another is inspiring. Today is seems that all you hear around you are negative stories about how people hate each other or about some big horrific event. This story is about everyday life. Dealing with tragedy as best you can and moving forward. And about how you can find friends in the unlikeliest places to help you deal with life.