Before there was Arthur Truluv, there was Arthur Moses and his older brother Frank living in Mason, Missouri. Their father is an alcoholic, abusive father suffering the repercussions of serving in the military during the war. Arthur wishes his friendship with Nola McCollum, would be more than just friends but she only has eyes for his older brother Frank who has his own love forbidden love interest. Frank offers advice to Arthur about love and relationships and Arthur tries to help protect Frank from the bullying from his father. This is a touching story which provides insight into the love and loss experienced by Arthur as a youth and how it shaped him into the Arthur Truluv that everyone loves.

A heart warming story about friendships, family, resilience, managing life and unexpected events. The rewards of forgiveness and compassion. ( )

This is our book for our first Not Now...I'm Reading Book Club.

#NotNowBookClub
#NotNowBookClubFeb2024

This is a recently written prequel to the Arthur Truluv series. In this book we learn the things that acted together to make Arthur who he is. I loved it, as expected. ( )

Oh, my. What a lovely, fairly nostalgic coming-of-age story.

I mean, it squeezed or stung my heart at several moments along the way, and yes, there's a tragic aspect to it. There are also a couple of scenes of disheartening (not bloody or bone-breaking, but disheartening) violence, a smidgen of language, and an inappropriate "beyond the classroom" relationship between two folks—although it's handled in a mostly offscreen, "PG" fashion.

But the down-to-earth quality of the story, the easy pace, the understated yet heartfelt beauty of this substantive slice of a small-town boy/young man's life... Even while I was pretty sad here and there, I felt like I was wrapped up in a soft, consoling blanket, and I ultimately had to smile. ( )

What a delightful story to end the year with for me.....filling in Arthur Moses' s early history. Another Elizabeth Book I would NOT want to have missed! Wonder what her NEXT book will be??? ( )

I love every word that Elizabeth Berg writes! This is a prequel to her Arrhur Trulove books and it's every bit as wonderful as those! Elizabeth Berg writes with such kindness and compassion, while making sure you are completely invested in the characters and their lives. ( )