True Love

Nantucket Brides Trilogy, Book 1

By: Jude Deveraux

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Jude Deveraux, the 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.

Praise for True Love

“Jude Deveraux’s Nantucket Brides series will sweep you away. A beautiful island, a sexy man, and plenty of secrets—this is a wonderful writer at her best.”—Susan Mallery

“A new Jude Deveraux novel means a very late night turning the pages straight through to the delicious end.”—Susan Elizabeth Phillips

“True Love, with its star-crossed lovers and twisty plot, evokes everything that makes Nantucket so special—the history, the atmosphere, the secrets, and the magic.”—Susan Wiggs

“Destined to be an instant romance classic . . . [It] will haunt you long after you read it.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Deveraux is at her spellbinding romantic finest.”—Booklist

“A novel about star-crossed love, life, death and reincarnation . . . a romantic story of love so deep it survives centuries.”—Kirkus Reviews

©2013 Jude Deveraux (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A novel about star-crossed love, life, death and reincarnation... a romantic story of love so deep it survives centuries." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Jude Deveraux’s Nantucket Brides series will sweep you away. A beautiful island, a sexy man, and plenty of secrets - this is a wonderful writer at her best." (Susan Mallery, New York Times best-selling author)

“Destined to be an instant romance classic . . . [It] will haunt you long after you read it.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Wonderful story, terrible narrator

Where does True Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

3

What other book might you compare True Love to and why?

Other titles from Jude.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tavia Gilbert?

Kathleen McInerney who is always stellar. She doesn't get in they way of a story. I know it will be good when I see her as the narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No due to the narrator.

Any additional comments?

Jude deserves better. I am a life long fan of her work.

Just a Lovely story!

Beautiful and sensual and light and picturesque! Narrated perfectly! Loved every word and will be starting the next book very soon!

Excellent story!!

I love a good romance and a good story about reincarnation, time travel, etc. This story had it all! I never wanted to stop listening. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

A lovely ghost story mystery on a romantic island

If you could sum up True Love in three words, what would they be?

love concurs time

What was one of the most memorable moments of True Love?

The baby diaper changing scene. Its not one I will forget though it wasn't the most romantic. Most memorable scene that is among my favorites would probably be when Alix is talking about what it was like to grow up with her mother and describing her fifth birthday party and how her mom brought a horse into their New York apartment. How she gets out of trouble for that is just so much fun!

Have you listened to any of Tavia Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Tavia Gilbert is probably one of my favorite voice actresses for audiobooks. There are many series I've acquired just because she read them. I was very excited to see they got her for True Love.

She has a way of making the story come to life in a way few others can. She's fantastic with both men and women's voices and I can always tell who she's speaking for before she ever says "Such and such said." This holds true for True Love as well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sometimes you're on the road to destiny without ever even realizing it.

Any additional comments?

I was beyond excited to see that Jude Deveraux was going back to the Taggarts and Montgomerys. I grew up on her books and was simply thrilled to see the Montgomery name. And now there's a new family name to add to these tried and true favorites, Kingsley.

While this story isn't listed under paranormal, I think it has very strong paranormal elements with the ghost that haunts the Kingsley House and the mystery that involves past ancestors reborn to the current family.

Jude really brings Nantucket to life in this book. You can tell she must have lived their for a time to know all she knew. You feel you're given a slice of what Nantucket is like for those who stay year round and what they think of "Off Islanders."

We're introduced to some fantastic characters who bring this world to life. I don't want to say too much and give spoilers, but I cannot wait for the next installment of this trilogy and am actually hoping some of the characters take over and we get a whole series out of Nantucket Brides.

Every character has depth and secrets. With every page, you're left wanting to know more about them. Not just the main characters but all. I loved the manipulation the family ghost provides and then when our heroine's mother arrives, I couldn't stop laughing.

Love Jude Deveraux

Would you listen to True Love again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to it again. Jude brings her people to life.

What other book might you compare True Love to and why?

Most of Jude's books are basically the same: Boy meets Girls. There are problems that need to be worked out, they fall in love and have a happy ending/. However, I can't get enough of her books. I feel like I know the people in them.

Enjoyable

What did you love best about True Love?

I enjoyed this ghost story, it's very different from what I've been reading.

Any additional comments?

I had no problems with the narrator.

Very enjoyable

Read book 2 before I knew there was a book 1. Enjoyed both and can't wait for the final book.

Over enunciating narrator very distracting!

What did you love best about True Love?

I love Jude Deveraux books and have read all of them over the last few decades. This is the first time I've listened to one. I tried to hear the story, but I couldn't stop thinking about how awful the narrator was. Very annoying and distracting by over enunciating! It wasn't real. Maybe we should, but people don't talk that way.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tavia Gilbert’s performances?

No

Narrator Beware

Before I purchase a title I always read several reviews. I purchased this title because I really enjoy Deveraux’s books.
The story and story I found to be what you expect from Deveraux, excellent. It was the only thing that kept me wanting to finish the book.
The narrator was exhausting! EVERY male voice she does sounds like they are angry. The female voices were so unbelievable . Please Deveraux, choose another narrator! Several times I almost stopped listening. I have never rated a thumbs down for a narrator before until now.
Read the reviews and listen to the sample first before you make this purchase!

Wonderful

A fast paced beautiful story that entices you from the beginning. Romance, ghosts, and mystery.