I have enjoyed all of the books in Elizabeth Berg’s “Mason” series, starting with “The Story of Arthur Trulove”. This book tells the story of Arthur as a boy growing up and some important events that shaped him for the man he would become. Another touching and heartfelt story. *3.5 stars*

I appreciate how much Berg packs into a book that is less than 300 pages. The story moves forward effortlessly as she makes every word count. I’m new to this author and think I need to go back and read her books in order. I felt a nostalgia for an era that wasn’t authentically mine, but the good manners, nice people and polite conversation made me long to have been there with them.

This is Arthur’s story, told though his experiences as he comes of age and deals with loss. I loved the short final one-page chapter with a date that tells us all we need to know about how it ended for him. Beautiful prose like this is a pleasure to read and a disappointment to end.

I am a fan of Elizabeth Berg and her heartfelt writing style. Arthur is a kind and genuine soul. He is wise beyond his years. I enjoyed his conversations with the older ladies he worked for as they sorted fabrics, cared for roses, looked for dentures, etc. The rural America setting in the 1950’s was a treat—a simpler time. I have not read The Story of Arthur Truluv, but I will now.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Elizabeth Berg doesn't disappoint in this prequel to the Mason series. Arthur Moses is 85 and reflecting on his teenage years in Mason, Missouri. It's a beautifully written story that warms the heart. Highly recommend, especially if you have read the series.

4/5

Elizabeth Berg books are like a comfortable, feel good family movie. Is the plot going to shock or surprise me? Probably not. Am I going to be pushed to reflect on my belief structure? Probably not. Am I going to walk away feeling like I spent an enjoyable few hours with characters I enjoy in a life that feels different but reminiscent to mine? Yes. Am I going to turn to one when I have a bad day? Definitely.

This is a coming of age story for Arthur (the first Elizabeth Berg character I ever met, granted he’s much older in that book!) explores the relationships that matter, and how if you’re open to it things just might work out better than you thought they would.

Recommended if you’re looking for a soft hug from a book you and your grandma might enjoy.

"Earth's the Right Place for Love" by Elizabeth Berg is a lovely, wholesome novel about Arthur, from "Arthur Truluv", at his youth, finding the love of his life through many trials and tribulations. A well written, wonderful background for this beloved character, his childhood, his tragedy, and complex parents. Love his character and relationships with older adults, his brother, and mostly Nola. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early reader copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Earth’s the Right Place for Love is part of the Mason series and a prequel of sorts to The Story of Arthur Truluv. In this story, we follow Arthur Moses through his childhood as he grows up, falls in love and suffers loss.

This is the first book I have read in the series, so I am not sure what goes on for Arthur passed his childhood, but I found this to be a good read and loved learning about Arthur. Arthur strikes me as the sweetest type of young man who knows what he wants, but isn’t sure how to get it. I typically read cozy mysteries or contemporary romances, so this book was outside of my typical scope of reading, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I enjoyed the characters development and seeing how everything tied together. The loss in Arthur’s life allowed him to find what he really was looking for and as sad as parts of this story were, there were enough sweet parts to balance them out. Overall I enjoyed this read and am glad I got the chance to meet Arthur Moses!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

“Earth's the Right Place for Love” by Elizabeth Berg
Love Loss Tears Joy Peace
I loved this story. Although before I began, I was wondering if I would like it. Ever so glad I gave this story a chance. There were so many great bits of sage knowledge imparted by different characters throughout this story. But you may need to be paying attention to pick up on those bits and pieces. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this story via NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful book.
Elizabeth Berg says at the end of this book that the inspiration for the story came as a result of a number of people, including her, wondering what Arthur, of The Story of Arthur Truluv (2018) was like as a young boy.

The story opens when he is 85, the same age as the beginning of Arthur Truluv but quickly takes us back to 1947 when he was a teenager with a huge crush on one of the popular girls in school.
What follows is a delightful story of Arthur, his brother Frank, his growing friendship with Nola, the girl in his sights, and the town of Mason, Missouri.

The town is a small town with all the assets and defects of small-town America. Knowing everyone yet rumors abound. Arthur navigates all of this through a terrible tragedy that hits his family. The book and Arthur are full of wisdom, kindness, and love. It is a pleasure to read. I immediately wanted to download another of the more than twenty other books that Berg has written. I did not want the pleasure to end.

I highly recommend this book.

Arthur Moses is 85 and the book starts with him reminiscing about when he was 16 in 1947 in a small town in Missouri. It was a pivotal year in his life and he learns many important lessons that he carries forward. I would give this book 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

This was a gentle and beautiful read, thoughtful and moving. I want to read Arthur Truluv now, to round out the main character. Elizabeth Berg never disappoints. I loved this, highly recommend!

Arthur Moses is eighty five years old and lives in Mason, Missouri, the same town he’s lived in all his life. He appreciates the small things in life as he ages. When he hears train whistles it takes him back to the summer of 1947 when he was 16, the summer that changed his life for the good and the bad. Arthur and his brother are the best of friends and share a room and all of their secrets. Frank is older and just has a way about him, athletic, smart, good looking and popular. Arthur is kind, quiet, introspective, steadfast, and enjoys nature most of all. When Arthur sets his sights on Nola, a beautiful, popular girl in his grade, he knows she is way out of his league. With Frank’s guidance he finally enters the friend category with Nola, but longs for more. When tragedy strikes Arthur’s family, he’s lost, but little by little he begins to live again. His love for Nola has never wavered, but when she never reciprocated, they remain friends. When she moves away, he is shattered, but continues on with the life he’s been given, but will he ever find the happiness he so richly deserves. “He had known the hammer of misfortune, and he knew as well the salvation that could follow”. Berg writes a poignant coming of age story that will both touch and break your heart, put a smile on your face, and make you believe in the power of love ❤️ Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Finally!! Arthur Truluv’s back story! Arthur Moses aka Arthur Truluv grew up in Mason, Missouri. This story follow him in his youth and into young adulthood. I fell in love with Arthur in his first book and was so excited to see this. His backstory will make you love him even more.

3.5 Stars

I absolutely loved the book that started this whole series, "The Story of Arthur Truluv". To those of us that love that book, Arthur is a beloved figure. So it only made sense to be excited about reaching back to the origins of this beautiful soul. And he was beautiful, even back then in the late 1940s as a teenager.

The book depicts a small, quiet town where the neighbors all knew each other. Life was much simpler and personal responsibility was instilled. Arthur and his older brother Frank had to perform various jobs on Saturdays like helping neighbors with home projects and gardening. Their parents had problems involving the husband losing a job and his being too physical in punishing the older son Frank. I loved how life's lessons were so logically yet meaningfully explained to Arthur by various family and friends. The mother would explain the realities of marriage and how problems could be worked through to arrive at an even greater love and appreciation for the other's imperfect self. I also related to its masterful handling of how one passes through the stages of grief after a tragedy. The dialogue was profound.

Even with all these positives I was not exactly wowed by this book. I would classify this one as a good read, a "quiet read". This book serves to introduce the reader to Arthur's enduring love, Nola. They met in high school, and enjoyed the comfort of being the best of friends, able to be themselves and honest with each other- with trust. Arthur always knew he loved Nola and wanted to marry her, but it took Nola longer to get there. I enjoyed the book while drifting in and out of it to read other books. At times, it reminded me of a Catherine Ryan Hyde book in the way it deftly handled these youthful characters. The iconic "The Story of Arthur Truluv" depicts a gentle, faithful widower who visits his late wife Nola's grave each day. It was a crafty idea to hit the rewind button to flesh out these characters as they first met. I suspect there will be another installment, since this offering ends as their love realization begins.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Elizabeth berg does no wrong. Loved getting to be with Arthur again. Loved being back in Mason. Perfection.

A story that takes place in small town Mason, Missouri, when America is getting back on its feet in the aftermath of WWII. Arthur Moses is a young sixteen year old high school student as we begin, and in a way is living in a dysfunctional family.
There is a bond between the brothers, Frank being the oldest, is full of advice to the younger brother. I loved how young Arthur embraced what his brother told him. Especially, when it comes to dating and courting.
For Arthur there is one girl, and one girl only he is interested in Nola, and we journey with him down life's roads. There is some sweet romance, broken hearts, and new beginnings, and a page turner for answers!
A book that will linger with you long after the last page is turned.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Random House, and was not required to give a positive review.

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

This is another beautiful and endearing book by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg.
Before there was the adult we have come to know as Arthur Truluv, there was a 16 year old young man named Arthur Moses and this is his story.

The book opens with Arthur Truluv looking back at his younger days. As a reader we finally see all that occurred to make this man the amazingly incredible human he became . The novel is a breath of fresh air in a world of trying times.

A pure joy to read.

Once again, Elizabeth Berg has given us a heart warming story filled with colorful, strong and well developed characters. This is a book that will leave the reader feeling good and wanting to know more about this kind man.
This book can be read alone but I hope readers will read the other three novels.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of this novel in advance for my review consideration. All views are my own.

Special Thanks to Elizabeth Berg for continuing to give us more regarding this wonderful character.

I have not read the "first" 3 books in this series, so was unsure starting with this prequel. But I found that I was able to follow the story just fine and enjoyed it as a standalone. I'm not sure I would have noticed it was part of a series if I hadn't looked it up. I thought this was heartfelt and a beautiful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available March 21, 2023.

Ms Berg is a favorite of mine. I follow her blogs and social media. She has such a way with words and is gifted in how she builds her characters to make the reader feel as if she personally knows them. This was no exception, which is like a prequel to her Arthur Truluv short series. We get to meet Arthur as a teenager and through his experiences in life see what crafted the young man, Arthur Moses, as was his name then, into the caring and intelligent man he grew up to be. A man anyone would be blessed to know.

This novel had a lot of heart, a bit of angst, yes some loss and hardships, as such is life, but there was always hope and love and little bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout. It never lagged for me, I loved every paragraph, and highly recommend it to fans of literary fiction, women's or domestic fiction. A thumbs up, Elizabeth. Loved it.
Releasing March 20, 2023 from Random House