Earth's the Right Place for Love: a Novel by Elizabeth Berg. New York: Random House, 2023. 288 pages. Publication Date March 21, 2023. ****
Growing up in Mason, Missouri, Arthur Moses has spent his life in a town that he loves, living his dream. When he is sixteen and sharing a bedroom with his older, worldly, brother Frank, Arthur seeks advice on attracting the attention of the prettiest girl in school, Nola McCollum. Nola has a crush on Arthur’s older brother, Frank, who is busy pursuing his own love interest and avoiding the boys’ father, a war veteran with a drinking problem who loses his job. Nola gives Arthur her phone number to give to Frank, however, Frank is busy pursuing his own love interest and coaches Arthur in the way of love. When a sudden tragedy strikes the family, Arthur tries to make sense of it all and finds comfort in nature. Trying to get Nola to see him as something besides a friend proves to be his biggest challenge.
I received an copy for a review.
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.
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From Amazon - Elizabeth Berg is the author of many bestselling novels, including The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles, The Confession Club, Open House (an Oprah’s Book Club selection), Talk Before Sleep, and The Year of Pleasures, as well as the short story collection The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted. Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year. She adapted The Pull of the Moon into a play that enjoyed sold-out performances in Chicago and Indianapolis. Berg’s work has been published in thirty-one countries, and three of her novels have been turned into television movies. She is the founder of Writing Matters, a quality reading series dedicated to serving author, audience, and community. She teaches one-day writing workshops and is a popular speaker at venues around the country. Some of her most popular Facebook postings have been collected in Make Someone Happy, Still Happy, and Happy to Be Here. She lives outside of Chicago.
#kindness #lovefiction
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