A sweet story by a favorite author. I was so happy to read about Arthur and his love for his wife, along with the other people who he meets.

Fabulous story, Personally the language is a bit filthy in parts and segments sexually explicit too. I get that they're a part of the lonely main character's effort to find herself. I do appreciate the idea that interacting with morally grounded "old people" helps an out of balance and lost teenager find her center, and find peace in clean living. I love the idea of lonely people reaching out to each other and discovering that there is joy in serving one another..Sweet story.

I gobbled this book up in one day. EB tells the story of Arthur Moses, an eighty-five year old whose wife, Nola, was buried six months ago. He visits the cemetery every day to have lunch with her. While there, he notices and later befriends a lonely teenage girl, Maddy Harris. Their friendship later expands to include Arthur's neighbor, Lucille Howard.
The subtitle of Berg's non-fiction book about writing,THE ART OF WRITING TRUE, perfectly describes her way of saying things that you have thought and saying them true.

This was a lovely short read which I happily devoured in one session.    It was a touching account of octagenarian Arthur and the life he created for himself in the  months after his dearly beloved wife Nola passed away.      It was also the story of teenaged Maddy who had lived a lonesome and somewhat unhappy life with her single father,  and for reasons unknown had become victim to the school bullies .   And there was Lilian, Arthurs neighbour, terrific baker, a bit bossy but good at heart and lonesome.   Arthur and Maddy initially met at the local cemetary.       Each day Arthur ate lunch at his wifes grave whilst Maddy found peace there, escaping the torture of lunches at school.      An unlikely friendship develops between them and despite their many differences they fill needs in each other.

There was alot to like about this book and Elizabeth Bergs characters were delightful.   Arthur was not your typical grumpy old man.   Instead he was patient, understanding of generational differences, considerate and thoroughly supportive towards Maddy and Lilian.      Which is not to say he was a saint.    He had a cheeky sense of humour and we were privy to some internal dialogue that he was far too polite to express out loud.  Early on he reflected, and perhaps regretted,  that he had not been spontaneous enough throughout his life with Nola.  From the behaviours we witessed he was either judging himself harshly or he had made major changes in that respect.  To me he was spontaneity personified - but definitely in a good way.      I loved the way Berg delivered some weighty messages within this sweet story.

I'm always happy when I like the main characters and when the story is ultimately uplifting.    When that book also extracts from me a few laughs and a couple of tears it's a winner. This one ticked all those boxes.

Thanks to Elizabeth Berg, Random House and NetGalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's sweet, predictably sad yet uplifting , maybe a little sappy , and I loved reading it ! Nothing earth shattering happens except in the small world of eighty five year Arthur who has lost his wife and seventeen year old Maddy who lost her mother at birth and loses her father to his grief. They meet at the cemetery where Arthur visits his wife's grave every day toting his lawn chair and lunch and talking to his beloved Nola. Maddy goes there to escape the kids from school who hate her and to suffer in silence from the years her father pretty much ignored as he just can't seem to communicate with her. She reminds him too much of her mother. There's the kind, bossy neighbor Lucille also lonely, who rounds out this unlikely trio who become an odd family as they help each other dissipate the loneliness that has engulfed them . It a short book so not much more to say except that this is a lovely, touching (cliche I know) story. Good for the soul.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Random House through NetGalley.

How I loved this book! A wonderful story about family , yet no one is related. I loved every person in this book. The story was sweet and I read it in one sitting.

The title of this book intrigued me. I thought that with this title the book would deliver a pleasant escape from the current craziness of current events. So true ! Graveyards are peaceful places and this story spreads that peace to the reader. Thank you Elizabeth Berg.

A bittersweet story about giving and receiving love. Kind of a fairy tale in the way things flowed so easily, not sure it's possible in today's world filled with complications but this make believe little world was a lovely place to visit. Berg always reminds us to look for love where we are. Thank you.

I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I teared up, I out and out cried. I've been a fan of Berg's for eons, adored the "Katie" series, but The Story of Arthur Truluv is far and away my new favorite. Beautifully rendered, emotionally evocative., Arthur Truluv, the character and the book, is a treasure.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the same vein as A Man Called Ove, Berg's latest novel doesn't disappoint. This delightful, easy read is about three people whose lives intersect because of loss. Arthur is a widow that visits his dead wife's grave every day to have lunch with her; it is here that he meets Maddy, a teenager who hides out in the cemetery to avoid high school. Although they are an odd pairing, Berg's character development brings their relationships with loss and loneliness to an end and in its place, creates a beautiful friendship. Lucille is Arthur's neighbour. She is incredibly forward and the epitome of a nosy neighbour, but totally endearing. Fresh from a loss of her own, she becomes part of their makeshift family.

My only criticism is that I wanted more from the relationships. I wanted more Nola and Arthur, and more of Maddy and her father. If Berg had fleshed out these relationships, the story wouldn't be so saccharin-sweet.

I'm a fan of Elizabeth Berg, and this is book didn't disappoint. This was an incredibly sweet story of lives intersecting at just the right time, when people who need others find each other. Arthur reminds me a bit of a "nice" version of the main character in "A Man Called Ove." It's well-written, with good character development. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Arthur and Maddy and the joy they brought to each other's lives. If you're looking for a sweet, multi-generational story that makes you feel good at the end, then this is a great book to read!

Once again, Elizabeth Berg introduces us to characters we can love. The few characters in this book make it an easy read and helped make the ones included feel more familiar and interesting. It's a book you'll want to finish once you start it so plan accordingly. A happily ever after? Maybe! A quick easy feel good read? Definitely! While the story is reminiscent of A Man Called Ove, it develops in its own way. One man who visits wife's grave daily plus a pregnant runaway and a master baker neighbor equals a story you won't want to put down.

Thank you to Net Galley, Elizabeth Berg, and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this title in order to write an unbiased review.

Elizabeth Berg's strengths are not in the plot of her books, but her characters. You can't help but to fall in love with the characters in The Story of Arthur Truluv. There is Arthur, a widow who visits his wife Nola every day for lunch at the cemetery, Maddie, a pregnant runaway teen, and Lucille, the master baker who lives next door. All of these characters are honest, real and raw. You truly fall in love with them through witnessing their day-to-day life. This book is another Elizabeth Berg great!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Take this journey with Arthur, a widower who goes to his wife's grave daily, where he meets Maddy, young and pregnant and lost. Add in Lucille, the lonely, hopeful neighbor and what results is a journey towards love and acceptance. Berg creates a family from these three individuals that will fill you with love and hope. Beautifully told, my heart is full after finishing this lovely story.

Excellent execution of plot and character arcs. Berg intertwined 3 individual lives and emotional stories in a seamless fashion for a smooth flowing and gripping tale.

My reviews are posted to Amazon.com and Goodreads.com under my name Judy Christiana.
I was given an advance reader copy from Netgalley.com to read for an honest review. I want to thank the publisher, Random House LLC and NetGalley for giving me this wonderful gift.
I was drawn to the story from the synopsis I read while searching through the books available to request. 1. I have always loved “old people”. I believe they should be cherished as the treasures they are. 2. I have had enormous loss of close loved ones and I believe in a presents of them in my life even though they are not here anymore. 3. I believe your family are the people that care about you in your life, not the ones that have a blood tie to you. 4. I find peace in cemeteries. I immediately thought of my grandfather visiting my grandmother’s grave site with a birthday cake for her.
So, I came to the story with high expectations. I wanted it to be a story to warm my heart and soul and maybe heal me a little bit too. I can say that it did all that and more. I feel like I added four more people (and a cat) to my family, or at least wish I could add them to my family.
The synopsis is readily available, so I don’t usually add that to my review. I write about how I felt about the writing of the story and the impact it had on me.
This story was like a warm cozy blanket to wrap in on a cold day. That feeling of security and love. Although each character has pain in their lives when we meet them and it does not go away completely, they find each other and are open to change the course of their lives. It shows that if you are hurting, “to look for helpers”. There are people out in the world that will embrace and support you to carry on. Second chances can be wonderful.
This was the first book I read by Elizabeth Berg. I loved her writing style. I loved so many specific lines she wrote. I loved the images she made in my mind, which continue to be popping up now for days. I loved the world she created with this book. I was so engrossed reading, anxious to know the entire story of Arthur Truluv and I was sad to leave this world when I finished the book.
I want to count Arthur, Nola, Lucille, Maddy and Gordon as part of my family now.

Well, Elizabeth Berg, you"re back with a hit! Arthur (Truluv) Moses and his great story in the winter of his life brings the Spring into mine! Wonderful, enchanting characters that lift from the page and move into your heart. Even boisterous Lucille, slightly loud, a mean baker, and energy for three people. Maddy, lovely, young and lonely, she lost her Mom two weeks after she was born, and her father doesn't quite know how to raise a girl, let alone a young woman. And finally Arthur, lost his lovely Nola just six months ago, but he still has lunch with her every single day. He takes the bus to the cemetery with his fold-up chair, his brown-bag lunch, and spends a delighted hour at Nola's grave-site. And he's happy to do it; it's the highlight of his day. Now, the story for you dear reader, is to discover how these three people meet, what really brings them together, and no, not the obvious (loneliness), well a tad, but way more than that.
They become entwined with each other in fun and very caring ways. I can't tell you more because I'll give it all away! I definitely recommend this book.

I love Elizabeth Berg! This is the first time I read her book and I can't wait to read more. The Story of Arthur Truluv is beautifully written and moving. I highly recommend reading it, perfect to read before bedtime. I was drawn in from page one and couldn't put it down.

Thank you to Net Galley, Elizabeth Berg, and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this title

This seemingly "simple" tale is anything but. Three people, of varying ages, who have lost everyone, find each other. Their lives intertwine through circumstances. This sweet tale, though perhaps a tad unbelievable, is definitely uplifting and hopeful.
Does it push the bounds of reality? Sure, but who cares? sometimes we need a good fairy tale to remind us how to be human again.

I found this book trying to be too much like Ove. Although the writing was very well done, I felt it could have used more character development. I wanted more Maddy and her father, I wanted more Arthur and Nora, I wanted more Maddy and Arthur!