Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Review Tuesdays: TRUE LOVE by Jude Deveraux

It's not an Edilean book, which has become my favorite new series of Jude Deveraux's, but I stayed in bed all day Saturday to read it, then finished it on Sunday. What's a weekend for if not to read and lounge around?

At first I wasn't sure what to think about the ghost, Caleb. Then I wasn't a big fan of Jared, the hero, though I'm sure that was intentional and Jude always makes a wonderful point of making sure her heroines aren't so in love with their heroes they forget to be the wonderful women they are. And wonderful sex can make a person a bit forgetful and apt to let the boys run the show. I love how Jude makes sure that this conflict is raised, dealt with, and conquered by the end of the book--rather than having a book where everyone falls in love at the end and they don't deal with the issue of losing one's identity when one is "in love."

Jude had a large cast of characters this time, all of which ran the gamut of personality. You've got the beautiful, flamboyant, men-fawn-all-over-her mother of the heroine who, if you're like me, you don't like because you always hated being cast in the shadow by such a woman, but can't help but admire how she's able to make things happen--and you're just happy she's a good person as she makes things happen. You've got the heroine's father who makes this splendid scene of yelling at the hero for being an asshat and he better make it up to his little girl or there would be consequences. There's all of Jared's cousins on Nantucket, including the beautiful ethereal Toby (whom I hope the next book is about) and the people who work for Jared. I adored everyone. Even the ghost.

In fact, I got very worried about the ghost, because it became clear something was going to happen to him by the end of the book. And then I got worried for one of the other characters, in which something very BIG was clearly going to happen. It was worrisome. But Jude being Jude, it all worked out all right in the end.

In the end, there's a big question--how long would you wait for True Love? Forever, Jared said. And Caleb agreed.

And there was that age-old question of what do you do about a wedding that your family hijacks and you no longer want. Good times. Loved it all.

I heartily recommend--but it does help if you love Jude Deveraux. (I think Jude is my Nora Roberts. I'm not the Nora fan than many of you are, but I think Jude is the storyteller that many of you think of Nora as, you just love her voice and how she draws characters. That's how I feel about Jude.)

So what have you been reading? What do you recommend?

15 comments:

Marnee Bailey said...

I read this one already too and really enjoyed it. I thought the dynamic between the H/H was really good. And you're right; Jude does the power dynamics in a relationship so well. She's a true master. There was a while there when she'd fallen off my autobuy list, but I think she's back on. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.

Terri Osburn said...

I'll think about it. I have certain feelings about this author that I'll keep to myself.

But you'll be happy to know I'm reading the one you reviewed last week. Trevor is quite the lovable hero, and I'm maybe 3 or 4 chapters in. That opening at the ball was a great start.

Other than that, Leslie convinced me to buy Hugh Laurie's novel, The Gunseller. Haven't started it yet, but looking forward to a different kind of read for me.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Marn, me too! (On both the autobuy and the "I can't wait for the next book!" which I hope is about Toby. *LOL*)

Terri, I understand. Like all authors, she's not for everyone. I have caught your disease; I'm going to have to look at last week to remember what I reviewed. And I do love Hugh Laurie...and I loved that snippet she shared...that was so turning something on its head!

Terri Osburn said...

I thought for sure mentioning Trevor would give it away. But then I can't remember the name of it either. That is one down side to reading on the kindle. I never see the cover to see the title.

Janga said...

PJ sent me a signed copy of True Love. I enjoyed it. I especially liked seeing all the threads from older books worked into the story. For me, Deveraux is one of those authors whose books either work really well or totally fail. TL was one of the successes.

I've given up on several books I've tried lately. I'll have to read them eventually since I have to review them, but in the meantime I'm indulging myself by rereading some books I love. Yesterday I reread Flight Lessons, a women's fiction novel by Patricia Gaffney. I love Gaffney's prose. How can you not love a book that has sentences like this one: "Her life was like a Greek play only if you imagined a collaboration between Homer and Harold Robbins." I started rereading Jill Barnett's Bridge to Happiness, another women's fiction novel yesterday. One of the many reasons I love it is that the heroine is a woman of my generation whose cultural memories I share. I have the just released A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell and Say Yes to the Duke by Kieran Kramer on my Kindle. I'm looking forward to both of those.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Janga, I love Jill Barnett's work. I'm looking forward to her new stuff, which I'm still hoping is soon. In the meantime, I think I may reread BEWITCHING. Just for the rose petals. *LOL*

P. Kirby said...

Never read Deveraux. Something about the covers and the author's name puts me off -- how shallow am I?

Actually reading a historical romance at the moment: Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt. Widowed heroine in her thirties and virgin hero. Kinda cute, so far. Also reading Y:The Last Man, Volume 5 (graphic novel) with its goofy and rather adorable hero, Yorick Brown; and a mystery, Requiem for a Puppet Master by D.J. Murphy, a book my mom gave me.

I liked Under the Never Sky (YA) by Veronica Rossi. Face-pace dystopian with pretty decent worldbuilding and a hero who towed a good balance between take-charge alpha and nurturer. Nice character arc on the part of the female protagonist who starts out as fish-out-of water, sort of helpless, but believably transitions into a capable, strong young woman. Gotta see if the library has the next books because the Kindle version are too pricey for my blood.

P. Kirby said...

"Fast-paced." Also, italic tags issues. Yawn. Feels like a Monday.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Pat, it really does feel like a Monday. But ssshhhh, let's not tempt it. *LOL* I love everything by Elizabeth Hoyt (though I'm not a fan of virgin heroes especially); I can't wait for her next book. Under the Never Sky is a great title--have to give it a looksie. :)

Maureen said...

What am I reading... Well, I don't think I've ever read a JD novel. And no, please, don't beat me up about it!

I'm a bit between books at the moment, but getting ready to dive into a book a dear friend sent me. She wrote it and is facing her mortality, with very little time left. So, I will be reading that today and tomorrow.

Maureen said...

And I keep trying to buy Laurie's book, but Amazon's page keeps freezing on my laptop. Over and over and over again... WTF?

I'm stocking books on my kindle for iPhone for the flight to DC...

Terri Osburn said...

I think there's an issue with your computer. Maybe your flash needs updated or something. Try opening Amazon in a different browser. Maybe that will work.

Quantum said...

Having enjoyed Deveraux's 'Temptation', even though the improbability strained belief in places, I'm ready to try another. This one sounds good and is available in audio so I'll buy.

I finished Jojo Moyes 'Me Before You' and was so impressed that I've started another of hers 'The Horse Dancer' and am also finishing 'See Jane Score', the hockey story by Rachel Gibson ... highly recommended!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Mo, um, I'm not sure what to say about the book you're reading today...but I hope it's a fabulous book! :)

Hellie Sinclair said...

Q, I saw a review for ME BEFORE YOU and that one looked very intriguing. I will be giving that one a whirl sometime! And I've heard excellent things about SEE JANE SCORE. :)