Ms. Deveraux has been on my automatic buy list since the days of Love Spell. I have followed the Montgomery Taggart sagas from medieval England to the USA. For some reason I just couldn't get off the ground with this book even though I tried to start, stop and restart. I am heartened to hear that the story really warms up and gets going later but I just haven't been able to get there.
The fault must be with me and how my tastes are changing for me to have a hard time reading a story from one of my favorite authors.

Three generations of women, and a forty-year journey of women in one family who each are facing their own challenges. Do you do what it right or do you follow your dreams? Should you marry the man your family expects, or do you follow your heart? In this story, sisters Vera and Kelly Exton are both trying to find their ways in both life and love while trying to do what is best for their family. Will these sisters find happiness or do what is expected of them?

Jude Deveraux writes with such style and passion and this book is no exception. It takes the reader on a journey you will not soon forget. We have all struggled with life choices and this novel shows us how to be true to ourselves. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I did relate to Kelly more than Vera, but it was nice to see different perspectives of life through the characters. I would like to thank Hallmark Publishing, NetGalley and the author Jude Deveraux for an Arc to read and review and my opinions and thoughts are entirely my own.

Two sisters.

Vera is the older sister, doing her duty to her family, while her boyfriend is off traveling to Africa. Adam was not faithful to her, but she waited for him.

Kelly is her younger sister who wants her sister's boyfriend Adam. Things are more complicated than that. Miguel wants Vera, too. They sort of switch partners. But this story starts in 1972 and spans a lifetime of the sisters as they navigate sisterhood and their families as adults and who they really are at the core.

Matter of fact, their intwined tales move at a brisk pace and checks in at crucial points in their lives and that of their children and who they are ultimately meant to be. .

Meant to Be is a story that sweeps generations. There are lots of characters, but it's not hard to keep track once you get into this family. The characters are interesting and the story is definitely about family, but it's also about romance and being true to yourself. The thing that struck me most while reading was how it's about the decisions we make. More specifically, how the decisions we make affect others, how they trickle down and impact the next generation and even the one after that. It's been a while since I've read a family saga, so it did take me a bit to get into the pacing, but the author's writing style and storytelling were as I expected, and once I got caught up in these women - because the story is very much about the women - I found myself reading far past time for dinner or bedtime, and I was turning that last page before I knew it. Meant to Be is well written, interesting, and entertaining, and I'm once again reminded of why I'm glad Jude Deveraux does what she does.

Welcome to Mason, a small town in Kansas where everyone knows everything about each other and marriages are built in grade school. It was always Vera with Adam and her younger sister Kelly with Paul. Expected to marry and live ordinary everyday lives. But when Adam leaves to join the peace corps, a future that Vera dreamed of them sharing, she is left behind to support her mother and sister. Years later when he returns, everything has changed. The dreams she had of world travel are the same but Adam isn't. She only has to wait for her sister to marry before she can escape. But Paul has left town leaving Kelly confused and heartbroken. Adam comes up with a crazy plan to make everyone happy. But what everyone expects to happen isn't what's meant to be.
I remember sneaking my first romance novel, A Knight in Shining Armor, off my mother's bookshelf when I was young. After that I devoured every Jude Deveraux book I could find. Her writing style has changed over the years, and she is still one of my favorite authors. This generational saga is one of her best. I couldn't put it down!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Shakespeare said that “the course of true love never did run smooth”. That’s especially true when you don’t know where it’s going in the first place. Or rather, when everyone around you is dead certain that you are “meant to be” with someone – everyone except you, that is.

Because what you’re really meant to be is – you.

Everyone in tiny Mason, Kansas knows that Vera Exton is meant to be with Adam Hatten, and that they are meant to run off together, far away from Mason. That same everyone is equally certain that Vera’s younger sister Kelly is meant to be with Paul, the stepson of the local vet.

What that same everyone did NOT know was that Vera loved escaping from Mason considerably more than she loved Adam, and that Kelly loved her future as a veterinarian, going into partnership with Paul’s stepfather Dr. Carl, more than she ever did Paul. That Adam loved taking over his responsibilities to the Hatten holdings way more than he did Vera, while Paul loved his fledgling organic apple orchard considerably more than he ever loved Kelly.

The story that opens Meant to Be in the summer of 1972 is the story of that entire herd of drama llamas sorting themselves out into a configuration that no one in town had the remotest thought might ever come to be.

Except for one important part. When the dust settled – and was there EVER a lot of dust – Vera Exton left Mason, just as she had always planned to.

Vera became a world-famous journalist and war correspondent, while life in Mason went on its slightly altered way, as Kelly married Adam, the man that Vera was supposed to marry. Paul’s organic farm became a very successful part of a growing trend – and he finally came out of the closet.

While, the man that Vera really loved stayed in Mason to raise the daughter that he fathered the night he deliberately drove Vera away to seek her fame and fortune, and fulfill her dreams and her destiny. He set her free – and she flew.

When Vera returns home for a brief visit 20 years later, the family she left behind is broken and hurting. It turns out that there are plenty of secrets still left to reveal from the mess of that singular summer so long ago.

It’s time for all of Vera’s, and everyone else’s, chickens to come home to roost – and maybe even lay a few more eggs.

Escape Rating B: I have to say that it is weird seeing a time period that I remember living through portrayed as historical. I was in high school in 1972, and the ferment about the Vietnam War was very present and feels true to life. It was also a time when attitudes towards women’s careers and women’s accomplishments were just beginning to change. We were told we could do and be anything, but faced a lot of skepticism when we tried and had few examples to follow.

Which meant that parts of both Vera’s and Kelly’s dilemmas felt very real, while at the same time their situations felt like a bit of a throwback. And it may very well be that I remember this period a bit too well and that I’m too close to it to step back and see it as “historical”.

At the same time, this is very much of a “family saga”, more women’s fiction or relationship fiction than romance. Romances definitely occur, but the backbone of the story feels like it’s wrapped around all of the many, many interrelationships among the families and the town itself.

Mason is small enough that everybody knows everyone else’s business whether they want it known or not. Expectations and assumptions are impossible to escape.

Vera and Kelly are both caught on the horns of multiple familiar dilemmas. Vera is expected to stay in Mason to take care of her mother and her sister until Kelly finishes vet school and gets married so she and her husband can take over that job. And then Vera can leave town as she’s always wanted to.

Kelly feels like the only way she can get to stay in Mason, where she wants to stay, and be a vet is to go into partnership with her boyfriend’s stepfather. Because her boyfriend’s mother is snooty and hates everyone and won’t allow a young woman to become her husband’s assistant unless that young woman is married to her son.

It seems like a lot of the story in 1972 is set up that way, where each person assumes that they have to take care of someone or something else in order to have half a shot at getting what they want. In a place where everyone relies on everyone else, no one seems to be allowed to just reach out and grab their own dreams – especially if they are female.

The first two thirds of this story, the 1972 part, read a lot like a soap opera. Everyone seems to be saying one thing, doing another, and hiding all of it from as many people as possible, until all the secrets blow up in everyone’s face, with all the mixed results and circling drama llamas that one might imagine.

What lifts this story from something typical to something a bit more interesting is the way that it continues from that 1972 soap opera start into the 1990s and eventually comes almost to the present. We get to see the consequences of the earlier events into a troubled middle and a bittersweet end.

All of the characters manage to find, not necessarily a happy ever after, which is why this isn’t strictly speaking a romance, but rather, to not just find out but to actually live as the people they were Meant to Be.

I love multigenerational novels. There is this sweeping, grand feeling you get while reading. This book hit home for me. We all have had those moments we do what we should (Or think we really want) only to decide our lives need to go down a different path. This is the story of two sisters, both equally compelling. I was pulled in from the beginning and couldn't wait to discover how the story played out. Highly recommend!

MEANT TO BE by Jude Deveraux is a multi-generational family saga that begins in 1972 with two sisters living in small town Mason, Kansas. Ms. Deveraux’s writing brings them to life and realistically portrays each as the reader follows them as they follow their dreams. This is a standalone novel had me completely engrossed from beginning to end.

Throughout the story there are many instances of love, understanding and strong family bonds even through heartbreak and betrayal. The story flows through Vera and Kelly’s lives in the 1970’s and 80’s intertwining history shaping events, then moves on to Caitlyn’s life in 1996 and finally ends featuring Michaela’s life in 2007. The men in their lives also play a major role in lifelong decisions and friendships which tie together the entire clan, but the focus is always on the women.

Ms. Deveraux has written a story that shows how every life choice not only effected the character making the decision, but it rippled throughout their relationships and family members. The women found true happiness when they were honest and true to themselves.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it!

As a fan of Jude Deveraux's writing, I was so excited to get the chase to read this new book. I have been a fan of hers since I was 16 that was over 30+ years ago. My love of her writing has spanned decades.

So it was no surprise that I would love this book.

As I dived into this book I was immediately captivated by the main characters. They were complicated, strong, loving, and flawed. As I read I could see myself in each one a little. As Vera and Kelly tried to be who they thought people needed them to be their true selves started to breakthrough. Eventually, they found their true path.

Fast forward through time and the path the sister started on and the secrets they kept begin to find the light. The next generation feels the effects of the decisions that were made. As doe the generation after that.

What I loved about this book was how poignant it was and how clearly Jude puts into words how life choices can have a rippling effect on others. That if you don't live your life authentically you could lose out on true love, friendship, and more importantly on the life you truly want.

This book left a huge impression on me and I loved every moment I was lost in it.

Jude Deveraux is back, and she's done it again! Meant to Be tells the story of two sisters, traditions, and the desire to choose our own fate.

Set in 1972, Kansas, the story follows two sisters, Vera and Kelly Exton. Both girls are about as different as you can get, and they are well known in the town for their strong natures. The elder sister, Vera, wants to join the Peace Corps more than anything. But she's tied to her home, taking care of her mother and younger sister. For now,

Meanwhile, younger Kelly has dreams of becoming a veterinarian; of growing up, and marrying her high school sweetheart. You've heard the story before, and you'll hear it again. Both women must evaluate their wants and needs. Their hopes, and the expectations laid upon them.

Honestly, I almost feel like there's no description that can do Meant to Be justice. This is a novel that will hit home with anyone who has ever felt conflicted in their lives. Those who have had to deal with the crushing weight of expectations, and the intense highs that come with having a dream.

For the most part, I really enjoyed reading about Vera and Kelly. Both sisters read as vastly different characters to me, and yet at the same time, they were both going through very similar struggles.

Admittedly there were parts of this novel that felt a little too slow for my liking, which is the main reason I am not rating it higher. It was an easy book to put down and take a break from, and a slightly harder book to pick back up and dive on into again.

I loved the time and setting of this novel, and do believe that it enhanced the overall story and feel of Meant to Be. Likewise, the romantic plots were well done, as were the aspects surrounding multiple generations. Which I should probably mention in a bit more detail: this novel actually follows three generations of the same family, not just Vera and Kelly. They just happened to be the two I connected to the most.

So if you enjoy family sagas you will love this book. It’s generations of family making mistakes, eventually fixing the mistakes, and becoming happy. The story repeats through each couple. It got a bit repetitive but fans of this author won’t care. It was still a fun read.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for a review. It is a story of various family and friends who fall in love with ones the others love...it is confusing...the different time periods...so many characters....however the story is intriguing....enjoy...

This is a multi family saga that spans years. I was completely confused as to who was who and what was going on the first several chapters. I thought the middle part of the book was the best, the last part was just ok.
It was a tangled story for sure. I’m still unsure of the ending.
I usually love everything this author writes, this book seems so different from her usual books.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux is a family drama spanning multiple generations. It almost read as two books. We start with sisters Kelly and Vera both trying to follow their dreams and take care of their families. We have Adam and his brother Robbie with their own family issues. One of my favorite scenes was when Adam finds his parents apartment.

For animal lovers you will love Kelly and her animal whispering senses. Dr Cooper is a vet so the animal scenes continue to a degree. We have Caitlyn and Dr Cooper for the next generation.

Personally I would have preferred it be a trilogy and we stayed with each of the generations a bit more. I think some of the stories could have been fleshed out more.

There is a very large cast of characters but they were easy to keep up with, If you love small town romances you will enjoy.

Sexual content – there is sex throughout the book, but little details. However there is betrayal and this could be a trigger for some.
Violence – minor, fighting, men trying to take advantage but don’t get far,
Drinking – minor
Language – 2 d&mn used about 20 times


I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

With Jude Deveraux always expect something simply marvelous. Well MEANT TO BE is marvelous but certainly not simple. There is a plan, candidly more like a plot, to assure everyone that they get what they really want in life. Dream maker of sorts is what I would call Adam. Adam has his own dream, plan, whatever. He is set on returning to his beloved Africa working with people there to improve their lives. Adam wants Vera to finally join him. This had been their dream, but life had intruded and only Adam was able to get away from his hometown. Vera needed to stay and bolster up her mother and sister Kelly when her father passed. Vera’s dreams were put on a back burner.

Kelly also has dreams. Kelly is fully aware that it is time for her to step up so Vera can finally chase down her own. Kelly and Paul have been good friends since school. Kelly loves animals. Paul loves his organically grown apple trees. Folks think they make an excellent couple, just as Adam and Vera. Here’s where the problems and fun begin. Paul loves his trees more than he loves Kelly and her smelly animals. And vice versa. Totally not a match made in heaven.

The lives and plans of these four people are fated to twist and turn in the wind of fate. And Jude Deveraux provides her readers with a front row seat. Be prepared to laugh and cry. MEANT TO BE is about love, fate, dreams and change. All parts of life and unpredictable. Joyous as it is meant to be by Jude Deveraux.

Choice of favorite character in MEANT TO BE is impossible to say. With each page Jude Deveraux displays a new facet of the characters personality, each one a revelation. You can’t do better than a Jude Deveraux novel for a cover to cover delight. MEANT TO BE is meant to be savored and ultimately dog eared with time.

Ingeniously written MEANT TO BE begins in the 70’s Vietnam era where life was scary for many folk. Anyone alive at that time has a story to tell and Jude Deveraux gave her characters a bit of history to tell about growing up. Then we find ourselves in the late 90’s catching up with these folk and move onto the next generation. Amazing and thought provoking as I am sure was Jude Deveraux intention. MEANT TO BE moves the timeline once again and the adventure continues without a hiccup.

Some of the best dialog was from Kelly. On her attempt to find a new mister right she tells us that when told to quit working as soon as she got pregnant – her reply was she wasn’t having his baby, so her job is safe. Wit and sass all rolled into one amazing character. The generations of Exton women were a fierce, loyal and adventurous group. As we travel through the years in this time slip novel about generations of a somewhat nontraditional family we are introduced to wives, mothers, daughters and sisters that serve as at times exasperating role models. But they are all beloved by their families and by us the reader.

Okay Jude you did it again. Once again you brought me to tears. In the most graceful way ever imagined but then I am as always in awe of the power of your pen. Every book by Jude Deveraux is my favorite, remembered and quoted for years. MEANT TO BE is my new favorite and meant to be savored from first to last page. You know that expression of I didn’t want it to end. It was very difficult to say goodbye to this fabulous cast of characters.

The family dynamics in Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux were very realistic. This book provided a believable and enjoyable escape from current life.

A family saga that spans three generations as they live through history and have most of the typical family and life drama that can take place in one family or another. The book starts with Vera and Kelly Exton as these sisters are both trying to figure out how they want their lives to unfold and in this time feelings will be hurt and lines will be drawn. The next two parts follow the lineage of each sister and how the times change.

I love a book that follows generations and you see families change and evolve and I enjoyed the characters in this book, but for me the plot moved too slow and I honestly got bored a few times while reading. There were times when reading where I felt as though things could have moved at a better place and the story dragged on. I was excited when the story changed to the next generation as it poured new energy in, but eventually that one stalled also.

The writing and setting were good and the characters were enjoyable, so I would read this author again, but would hope for an improvement in pacing and plot evolvement. I know this author is prolific and I even own a few, so I am surprised to say that this was my first read by her and I hope to try more and see how they go.

In this touching story of two sisters, two lives take on directions neither of them ever expected. Vera Exton is an activist who has long had plans to join the Peace Corps and to join her boyfriend in Africa. However, she had lost her father and takes her responsibilities towards her mother and sister quite seriously. Vera's sister Kelly is in veterinary school and Vera does not want to leave until Kelly becomes established.

Kelly's life seems well on track. She is doing well in veterinary school, might be marrying a boy she has loved since childhood, and just might be able to take over his father's veterinary practice.

However, neither Vera nor Kelly are truly happy. Things seem well in line for both of them, but their lives take on tumultuous change when Adam Hatten, Vera's long-time boyfriend, returns home from Africa. His father has passed away and Adam's eighteen-year-old brother Robbie has been getting into trouble and is in need of guidance. While things look good for Vera as she gets back together with Adam, it soon becomes clear that their hopes for the future have been derailed.

This would be a good time to discuss the title of this book - Meant to Be. The title is quite apropos because it becomes quite clear that what has been expected might not always be the best course of action - especially where matters of the heart are concerned. Things began to change for both Vera and Kelly, including the men in their lives that they thought they would be with forever.

This book is more than Vera and Kelly's stories. It is a multigenerational tale that began in the year 1972. The book then brings the reader to 1996 and we then have Caitlyn's story. I'll not tell you whose daughter she was, but her story is pivotal to this book, and is part of Vera and Kelly's continuing saga. Caitlyn's story is just as touching as to what took place during the first half of the book, and then segues to modern times.

Whether the book took place in 1972, 1996, 2002 or 2007, it all flows together remarkably well. This is a wonderful family that dealt with disappointment, heartbreak and betrayal. Yet it was more than evenly balanced with love, hope, joy, courage and the strong connection of family. This is an excellent book and I love the experience of reading an author that my mom read during my younger years.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I normally love Jude Deveraux but this one was just okay. It was hard to follow. We are meant to follow 3 generations of women in one family, but the time shifts were so abrupt and the relationships flip flopped all over the place. Just when I felt like I was getting to know a character, boom! Her story was over and it was on to the next one. I didn't feel a bond with any of them because I didn't have time to form that bond. I came the closest with Kelly since I feel her character was the most developed. I wish the focus had just been on 1 or 2 women and not all of them.

Told over three generations of sisters, daughters, and mothers, all are tied to together by one woman who had to leave in order to be whole. This is a lovely, long and winding story of love, of choices, and of repercussions.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.