Review: For All Time by Jude Deveraux

For All Time

Nantucket Brides Trilogy, #2
Jude Deveraux

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date of Publication: July 1, 2014
Number of pages: 400
Cover Artist: Lynn Andreozzi & Claudio Marinesco

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe 

New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux returns to the ruggedly magnificent island in For All Time, the second novel in her Nantucket Brides trilogy—this time featuring the next generation of her beloved family of Montgomery-Taggerts.

The wedding of Alix Madsen and Jared Montgomery is a glorious affair at an elegant little chapel in the woods, followed by dinner and dancing, all while moonlight blankets the festivities in a romantic glow. While most guests are fixed on the happy couple, Jared’s cousin Graydon can’t look away from a bridesmaid, Toby Wyndam. It’s not just her quiet beauty that enthralls him or the way she makes him laugh. Toby possesses the truly remarkable ability of being able to distinguish Graydon from his identical twin brother, Rory. According to family legend, such a gift marks her as Graydon’s True Love.

But Graydon knows there is no possible way that they can ever be together, for he is heir to the Lanconian throne and is to marry a noble woman who has been chosen for him. Yet, intrigued by Toby, he asks her to help him hide on Nantuck for a week away from regal responsibilities. In exchange, he’ll assist her with planning acclaimed novelist Victoria Madsen’s lavish wedding. Since they both know their union is impossible, the pair promises that they will never be more than just friends.

But there’s more going on between Graydon and Toby than her unique power to tell him apart from his twin. At work are forces beyond their control, which are ruled by time itself. Combine that with the magical island of Nantucket, and a seductive spell is cast over Graydon and Toby. If they are to be together, they must change what once was, as well as what will be.

I was excited to see the second book in the Nantucket Brides Trilogy by Jude Deveraux become available on Netgalley.  I have been a huge fan ever since I read Black Lyon, way, way, way back in the early 80's. After reading the first book in the trilogy, True Love, I was thrilled when I was approved to read this one as well.

This book picks up from the end of book 1.  Alix and Jared have just married and everyone is ready to enjoy the wedding party.  Graydon, cousin of Jared and the Crown Prince of Lanconia had partnered Toby, reluctant wedding planner and bridesmaid, down the aisle. When he found out that she had met his identical twin brother the night before and could tell the two of them apart, something almost no one could do, he decides to spend some time with her to find out if the family legend holds any truth: You marry the one who can tell the twins apart.  In order to spend some time with Toby, Graydon demands Rory, his twin, switch places with him.  With some smooth talking and adroit maneuvering by Rory, Graydon gets the chance to spend the coming week on Nantucket with Toby.

And so the matchmaking begins.  Alix's mother Victoria gets in on the act by insisting that since Toby did such an excellent job on Alix's wedding, that Toby should do Victoria's as well and even arranges for Toby to have time off so that she can plan the wedding and spend it with Graydon, of course. It's not long before they are spending all of their time together.  As they draw closer to each other, they also stumble upon the story of Garrett and Tabby and their tragic romance. Is history doomed to repeat itself, or can they create a new history and future?

I quite enjoyed the paranormal aspects to the book.  True Love dealt with the ghost of Caleb, while this book involves time travel. I was also thrilled to see Lanconia show back up.  Not only is Graydon the grandson of J.T. and Aria from The Princess, but he references his ancestors, Rowan and Jura from The Maiden. It was fun to get a chance to link back to the earlier books. This was another 5 star read.