Once again, Elizabeth Berg has reached into the well of fictional Mason, Missouri, which she once said was a refuge from the crazy world we live in, for the prequel to the Arthur Trulov books, called Earth’s the Right Place for Love, coming out March 21. The title is taken from the famous Robert Frost poem “Birches.”

Readers meet Arthur Moses, a shy young man, in his formative years in the late 1940s. He aches for the popular Nola McCollum, who had given him her phone number but only to pass on to his brother Frank. However, Frank has his own love interest, one that is inappropriate, and will further a deteriorating relationship with their father, an argumentative alcoholic.

When the Moses family suffers a tragic loss, all must struggle with their grief, which is especially overwhelming for Arthur as he finishes up his schooling and looks to the future. His two friends, Nola and Harvey, support him during this time. Unfortunately for him, Nola plans to get out of Mason upon graduation, putting any hope for her affection out of reach. Arthur, on the other hand, knows he will always stay in the small town he so loves.

For those who have read the Trulov books, they know how this story ends, and for those have haven’t read them, they are in for a treat where they will meet memorable characters in stories told only the way Berg tells them: with warmth, humor, and insight into people.

Elizabeth Berg is the prolific author of many bestselling novels including all of the Trulov books. Three of her books have been made into movies -- Range of Motion (2000), Open House (2003), and A Very Married Christmas (2004). She teaches writing workshops and is a popular speaker at venues around the country. She lives in Illinois.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 4, 2023.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

I love Bergs writing because she writes engaging characters that you grow to love and this was no different. I found this one to be a little slow and think I much prefer her earlier works.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

Earth's the Right Place for Love
by Elizabeth Berg
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
Random House
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This beautiful new novel by the beloved author of Open House and Talk Before Sleep tells the story of two young people growing up in Mason, Missouri, and how Arthur Moses, a shy young man, becomes the wise and compassionate person readers loved in The Story of Arthur Truluv.
Not my favorite Berg book but it was sweet and an easy read. It's a feel-good comfort read but I found it a bit too sweet for my palate. The 1950's feel is nicely done.
3 stars

I enjoy this upcoming release from Berg. Thought not as much as previous works of hers. A tad more distant and disconnected but that very well could have been my state of mind as well. Her character development is always so spot on and this book absolutely lived up to previous novel development... but still there was just something not there for me! Thanks so much for an early copy of this book! I have no doubt it will be well loved by many this year.

Elizabeth Berg always has the sweetest characters in her books. She is a wonderful storyteller and has a wonderful style. I always recommend her to readers for a sweet story.

A sweet, uplifting story with real depth. I loved Berg’s previous novel — The Story of Arthur Truluv (see my review here -- https://bibliobloggityboo.com/2017/10/19/the-story-of-arthur-truluv-by-elizabeth-berg/). This novel is Arthur’s memory of the long courtship of and friendship with his (now deceased) wife. Beginning in 2016 when Arthur is 85 and finds himself “waiting for small things,” we spend most of the book in the 1940s when he first falls in love with Nola McCollum.

The novel deals with the key elements of life — relationships, mortality, family, and nature. Her descriptions of the every day aspects of life often brought tears to my eyes, simply because they touched the essence of tiny details so very well. There are some wonderful quotes because Berg is a fantastic writer, but I’m not including them as they tend to give away certain aspects of the plot.

Beautifully done.

During my original reading of Arthur Truluv, I just fell in love with the wonderful characters Ms. Berg created. Therefore, I really appreciated the opportunity to read an early copy of this title. This one gave me many emotions and some tears, and I ultimately adored this.

This is Arthur's origin story, if you will, and it's a heartwarming and lovely read.

I much preferred Elizabeth Berg's other novels featuring Arthur Truluv, but this one was still a sweet, fast read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Any book about Arthur Truluv is a book I want to read. Arthur is one of Elizabeth Berg's most loved characters. He is kindness personified and in this prequel to the other Truluv books we begin to get a sense of how he embraces and amplifies that basic human goodness.
Earth's the Right Place for Love is a coming of age tale about Arthur, his relationships with girls, family, his beloved brother and the future. His observations of people and circumstances are simply beautiful and often poignant.
I did find his rambling talks with his brother about girls and how to connect with a bit tedious at times. But Frank's wisdom was spot on and serves to make him quite a beloved character.
I loved Arthur's connections with the women he worked for on Saturdays. His compassion is tender and what he learns about human nature he carries into adulthood.
This is a simple book, but one that will surprise you with emotion- a smile for an old memory, a tear for loss.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Earth's the Right Place for Love. Also many thanks to Random House publishing group and to Elizabeth Berg.

The latest from Berg is sweet, innocent, sad, hopeful…all this and more. This is a prime example of this author at her best.

This return to the life of Arthur Moses is as wonderful as the other books in the series. This time we see Arthur as a young man, as his character is developing and starting to look for love. Sweet and perfect.

A touching, thought provoking story of a young man growing up in a family that faces a myriad of challenges the most difficult being the loss of his brother.

Berg creates strong, relatable characters that are easy to root for, and this book is a prime example of that (particularly with Arthur). Sadly, the action is a bit lacking. It feels more like you're being told a story instead of being immersed in one. Things felt a bit too perfect to believe. This book is a prequel to another story by Berg.

Berg can make me laugh, cry, despair, and be hopeful, all at the same time. I know so many people like Arthur, kind, gentle, loving, trying to fit in without losing himself. He's comfortable with his choices and knows what he wants in life while trying to understand his parent's relationship. Berg drew me in, and I savored every morsel of this story. Arthur earns money by helping his elderly neighbors who share their stories with him. I can relate to where his neighbors are in their life, wanting someone who will see them and listen. Berg does a beautiful job in the portrayal of the characters and their acceptance of Arthur. Fans of Arthur Truluv will love this book and so will Book Clubs.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved this series of stories from Berg and was excited when this one came out. This book was a lovely story with great characters and a storyline. Others who have loved reading the first three books will also enjoy this story.

This novel tells the story of two brothers, Arthur and Frank Moses, whose family lives in a small town. Frank, as the older brother, is the idol and mentor, and helps Arthur deal with his school worries, and more importantly, his teenage crush on Nola McCollum. Elizabeth Berg, as usual, deftly exposes the inner longings, joys, doubts and sorrows of her characters. Even through a family tragedy, the Moses family is human and loving, (each member in their own way.)

I just love and adore Elizabeth Berg. Her books are always a balm for my soul and I love her characters. I love how you can almost feel them viscerally and I love how when I am weary and tired, I can pick a Berg novel and I know it will give me the comfort I need without feeling like too light a book. I will grow to love her characters.

This book is no exception. OF course it couldn't be as it's Arthur's story and we already know what a gem he is. This is the story of how he and Nola end up together and it's a real nod to patience and deep friendship and loving and caring for someone anyway.

I loved this book. I love Berg and will continue to read her books for as long as she's generous enough to give us her stories.

with gratitude to netgalley and random house for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is sort of a prequel to the Arthur Truluv series. It’s a beautifully written book that tells the story of 85 year old Arthur remembering and reflecting on when he met his beloved soulmate Nola when he was 16 years old, and what it was like growing up in his family of origin in the small town where he spent his life. I absolutely loved it, so touching and heartfelt.


Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Elizabeth Berg’s latest book is a prequel of sorts to “The Story of Arthur Truluv.” Quick facts for fans of Berg: It is set in Mason, Missouri and gives us the backstory of Arthur Moses and his childhood sweetheart, Nola McCallum. The title comes from the Robert Frost’s, “Birches” – a poem loved by Arthur’s older brother, Frank.

The story is gently told, filled with nostalgia and teenage antics of a bygone era. Arthur, age 16, looks to Frank for advice on how to attract Nola. Meanwhile, Nola strikes up conversations with Arthur in hopes of meeting Frank, whom she has a crush on. Despite the love triangle, the brothers maintain a close relationship and remain true to each other. We also see Arthur’s homelife and the neighbors he does odd jobs for. We learn about the formative events that shape Arthur into his future nickname, Truluv.

The tender observations of daily life and Arthur’s common sense, spot-on wisdom hold the reader’s attention. In our shrill and tumultuous world, this book is a breath of fresh air.

First, I did not realize that this was a prequel to “The Story of Arthur Truluv” as one could read this without the other and enjoy it just as much. It is a coming of age story of young Arthur Moses, growing up in the 40’s. it is the story of a young man, kind and thoughtful, who is patient and realizes the epitome of the phrase, ‘good things come to those who wait”. A bit slow paced at first, this story is of a dysfunctional family whose father struggles to hold a job and thus from the pressures is disgruntled at home, bordering on abuse to his two children. Arthur idolizes he older brother Frank who serves as his confidant as Frank guides him through his teen years and his crush with a popular girl, Nola. After a tragic event, Arthur’s life shifts but he always holds onto the teachings of Frank, a poet and writer whose pearls of wisdom imprinted on Arthur’s life. I love that Berg incorporated “Birches” by Robert Frost as a backstory for second chances at love and being a swinger of birches in life. “Earth’s the right place for love.” With beautiful writing and prose, as always, Berg brings her characters to life and stirs the memories of those who grew up in small towns or wished they had that old-fashioned upbringing when worries were innocent. Showing that through kindness to others, listening and validating others, Berg shows how Arthur deals with young love, brotherly love, family strife, friendship, and second chances. Again, although slow to start, it is a page turner as we see the characters develop and patiently wait for what will happen next. Some parts, I did not see coming which caught me unaware and I cried. But this is a book of hope and is a warm feel-good book in the end.
Many thanks to #netgalley #elizabethberg #earthstherightplaceforlove #randomhouse for the opportunity to read and review this book.