This story opens with the male protagonist, Jared, talking to his grandfather Caleb about Alix Madsen coming to the island to stay for a year. Jared is not pleased that Alix is coming and basically keeping him from his inheritance while she is supposed to figure out the long unsolved mystery of what happened to Valentina, some 200 years ago. Just because she could see their family ghost during her 1 visit as a child. Plus Alix is an architectural student, and Jared has quite the name for himself on the mainland as an architect. He really doesn't want to deal with her. Jared's big plans involve leaving before Alix gets there. Caleb is not happy with these plans and says that he has a feeling that Alix will be the one to solve the mystery. It wasn't until the end of the the prologue, that I realized that Caleb was the ghost. Chapter 1 dives us right into Alix making the trip to Nantucket a few days early with her best friend Izzy. Alix is currently moping because her boyfriend dumped her for a younger dumber version, just after graduation. But thing perk up considerably when Izzy recognizes Jared Montgomery, famous architect and their mutual crush, on the island. Neither Alix nor Izzy realize that Jared Montgomery and Mrs. Kinglsey's nephew, are the same person. Izzy heads back to the mainland to continue working on her wedding plans, while Alix works on putting together something to wow The Jared Montgomery. When Jared gets back to find Alix has come in early and Alix gets her introduction to Jared Montgomery Kingley, the misunderstanding follow quickly.
There was a lot going on in this book - a mystery, a romance, a wedding, a pregnancy, a haunting, meddling mothers, lies and half truths galore. I was reminded of why I so very much enjoyed Ms. Deveraux's books all those years ago. Plus, the tie ins to past Montgomery-Taggert books kept me grinning and hoping for a mention of my favorites. For me, this was a delight to read. I will say that there were several emotional scenes in the book and there were several times that I had to get the kleenex out and dab, blot and blow. But I really enjoyed the emotional investment I got to make in the characters. This was a 5 star read for me, reminding me to not forget all my favorite authors.
Jude Deveraux, the New York Times bestselling author of unforgettable romance, returns with a breathtaking first book in a fantastic new series—the Nantucket Brides trilogy. Set on the magical Massachusetts island, True Love introduces characters from a new generation of Montgomery-Taggerts, the beloved family from Deveraux’s classic novels.
Just as Alix Madsen is finishing up architectural school, Adelaide Kingsley dies and wills her, for one year, the use of a charming nineteenth-century Nantucket house. The elderly woman’s relationship to the Madsen family is a mystery to the spirited Alix—fresh from a romantic breakup—but for reasons of her own Alix accepts the quirky bequest, in part because it gives her time to plan her best friend’s storybook wedding.
But unseen forces move behind the scenes, creaking Kingsley House’s ancient floorboards. It seems that Adelaide Kingsley had a rather specific task for Alix: to solve the strange disappearance of one of the Kingsley women, Valentina, more than two hundred years ago. If that wasn’t troubling enough, Alix must deal with the arrogant (and extremely good-looking) architect Jared Montgomery, who is living in the property’s guesthouse.
Unbeknown to Alix, Jared has been charged with looking after her while she lives on the island—an easy task for him, considering the undeniable chemistry between the two. But Jared harbors secrets of his own, which, if revealed, may drive a wedge between the pair.
With a glorious Nantucket wedding on the horizon, sparks fly, and the ghosts of the past begin to reveal themselves—some of them literally. Finding their lives inextricably entwined with the turbulent fortunes of their ancestors, Alix and Jared discover that only by righting the wrongs of the past can they hope to be together.
I love getting to go back to authors that I love. This one sounds like it holds a ton in its pages! Looks like a good one for sure. So glad that you enjoyed it. Excellent review :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI've read one of hers last year and it was a harder read for me (it was one of her first ones I think) but I've wanted to give her another try. I just added this one to my shopping list! It does sound like a really good one. Thanks for the heads up!!
ReplyDeleteThe Black Lyon was the first historical and romance book I ever read.... at age 10. (What, I was an advanced reader! lol) So her work holds a special place in my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteIt had soooo much going on. Keeping in mind this is the first book in a trilogy, and that some setting of the scene is necessary, there was still just a lot happening. And that is good because I was never bored. :)
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