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Convicted of a crime he didn't commit, he wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover...
There's nothing Truman Gritt won't do to protect his family—Including spending years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When he's finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother's overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she's left behind. Truman's hard, he's secretive, and he's trying to save a brother who's even more broken than he is. He's never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he's less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people's lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman's dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he'll be faced with his toughest decision yet.
**
The Whiskeys are perfect beach reads with depth of story, strong family ties, and a wealth of emotions. Small town love stories with happily ever afters guaranteed. The Dark Knights motorcycle club is not a typical MC book. These bad-boy bikers are tough, but they have hearts of gold...and they're not afraid to use them.
There's nothing Truman Gritt won't do to protect his family—Including spending years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When he's finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother's overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she's left behind. Truman's hard, he's secretive, and he's trying to save a brother who's even more broken than he is. He's never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he's less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people's lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman's dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he'll be faced with his toughest decision yet.
**
The Whiskeys are perfect beach reads with depth of story, strong family ties, and a wealth of emotions. Small town love stories with happily ever afters guaranteed. The Dark Knights motorcycle club is not a typical MC book. These bad-boy bikers are tough, but they have hearts of gold...and they're not afraid to use them.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2016
About the author
Melissa Foster
158 books11.3k followersNEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Never miss a release! Follow Melissa here on Amazon and sign up for her newsletter: https://MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter
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FREE Series Order Checklist by Publication Date (recommended): https://melissafoster.com/SeriesCheck...
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole here: https://addisoncole.com
Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on social media.
Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately...I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge
Never miss a release! Follow Melissa here on Amazon and sign up for her newsletter: https://MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter
Start FIVE of Melissa's series FREE in ebook format here: https://MelissaFoster.com/LIBFREE
FREE Love in Bloom Family Trees: https://MelissaFoster.com/RG
FREE Series Reading Order Checklist: https://MelissaFoster.com/SeriesCheck...
FREE Series Order Checklist by Publication Date (recommended): https://melissafoster.com/SeriesCheck...
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.
Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole here: https://addisoncole.com
Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on social media.
Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately...I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,477 reviews
November 8, 2016
Truman Gritt is recently out of prison and just trying to lay low and get his life back on track. Little did he know that a late night phone call from his drug addict brother would change that life forever.
Gemma Wright is just out shopping late for some ice cream when she hears a baby crying. Going to check out why a baby would be out so late, she finds herself face to face with the hottest man she has ever seen. Curious as to why this man has two babies and a cart overflowing with supplies, she offers her help.
Gemma sees something in Tru that calls to her. As her offer to help turns into visits, and then more. Will Truman's dark past come between them or will Gemma find herself a home she has always wanted.
I'm pretty sure that my ovaries gave up and died halfway through reading this one. GOOD GRAVY was there A LOT of hot tatted up bearded men to baby action. That aside, this was a really enjoyable, heavy on the sweet read.
It was a low angst and pretty insta-everything type of read. With just the right amount of "feels" thrown in. You will ADORE Truman. I dare you to find one thing wrong with this guy. He's a nurturer, he's a survivor, he's a lover, he is a tatted up hot piece of man candy with a heart of gold. I fell in love with him from word GO. I loved Gemma as well, though not quite as much as Tru. That's not to say she was a bad character. She was sweet and feisty and had a heart of gold as well. Honestly, NO ONE could have eclipsed Tru for me. She was a solid second though.
"I want to wrap you up in me until you can feel how much I want you. I want to make you feel as wanted as you make me feel, because I want you Gemma, all of you. I’ve never felt like this before. I feel like this is my first time."
As well as Tru and Gemma, we get a solid cast of interesting and dare I say smokin hot secondary characters in the form of the Whiskey brothers, and sister Dixie. As well as Gemma's BFF Chrystal, and Tru's brother Quincy. I was excited as hell to read that each of the Whiskey family members will be getting their own books.
That said, I was a TINY bit disappointed in the ending. I would have liked to see a more into the future look at this couple. I imagine though that we'll be seeing more of them in the other books. What can I say? I am a sucker for further into the future epilogues. Overall though, this was a fabulous read and it gets two big thumbs up from yours truly.
November 13, 2016
***2.5 STARS***
This was my first Melissa Foster book so I didn't know what to expect. I really didn’t dig her writing style. Plus, it was written in the 3rd person – which I’m not a big fan of. This book was cute and had a good foundation for being an amazing read.
I liked Gemma for Truman, she was a good match for him. The way they met at Walmart was really cute! It was easy to see her with the kids considering she could not bear children herself. You could tell that she loved them. She stood by her man when things were easy and she stood by him when shit hit the fan, I have mad respect for that. I love women like that. She also accepted his past and she saw it as his past, not who he was right now.
I adored the way Truman loved those kids like they were his own. Within 5 minutes of finding out he had a little brother and sister he loved them. That showed a lot of strength of his character. He never questioned whether or not it was his duty do care for the kiddos, all he knew was that they were family and needed unconditional love so that’s what he gave them. He loved those kids like they were his own.
********Now below this bit things do get a little bit messy so I hope y'all don't get mad at me. :(
This book had the potential to be amazing. You had a selfless, family oriented, sexy as hell tattooed man. You had a beautiful, open minded, non judgmental female. You had 2 adorable kiddos. It’s everything you need for a good book. But I don’t know what it was actually but I could not connect with either main character.
I think some of it was how it was written as far as being in the 3rd person. I have read many books written in the 3rd person don’t get me wrong but this one – ummmm….no. I mean you can’t tell me 16 peoples opinion in the same paragraph. Now I have to try to figure out who in the hell you were talking about. I don’t have time for that. I’m trying to read a book to enjoy it not study it.
There was no build up to their relationship. One day they met at the store and less than a week later they are together in this full out relationship. I know the author has written a shit ton of books so maybe she was rushing through this one.
I mean hell, they didn’t even date first! I needed more – you know, like a story maybe?
Here's what I found so frustrating with this book….it had EVERYTHING you need for a good book but was poorly written and executed. I blame that on the author and the publishing company.
This what I think happened and I could be 100% wrong….
Melissa Foster has written a shit ton of books and has been very successful. Due to that I believe her and her team figured this book would be successful on the back of her name. They figured that they had decent story line and a good fan base so the actual character development was not a big deal.
….again this is my personal opinion and I could be 100% wrong.
I know this book has a lot of great rating and most people loved, but it's ok that I am not one of them. But let's talk about how awesome Goodreads is....it gives us a place to share our individual opinions without judgment and we learn about so many great books and authors. Just because I didn't care for this one doesn't mean everyone else won't. Enjoy!
For my complete unfiltered, messy review....https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy....
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
This was my first Melissa Foster book so I didn't know what to expect. I really didn’t dig her writing style. Plus, it was written in the 3rd person – which I’m not a big fan of. This book was cute and had a good foundation for being an amazing read.
I liked Gemma for Truman, she was a good match for him. The way they met at Walmart was really cute! It was easy to see her with the kids considering she could not bear children herself. You could tell that she loved them. She stood by her man when things were easy and she stood by him when shit hit the fan, I have mad respect for that. I love women like that. She also accepted his past and she saw it as his past, not who he was right now.
I adored the way Truman loved those kids like they were his own. Within 5 minutes of finding out he had a little brother and sister he loved them. That showed a lot of strength of his character. He never questioned whether or not it was his duty do care for the kiddos, all he knew was that they were family and needed unconditional love so that’s what he gave them. He loved those kids like they were his own.
********Now below this bit things do get a little bit messy so I hope y'all don't get mad at me. :(
This book had the potential to be amazing. You had a selfless, family oriented, sexy as hell tattooed man. You had a beautiful, open minded, non judgmental female. You had 2 adorable kiddos. It’s everything you need for a good book. But I don’t know what it was actually but I could not connect with either main character.
I think some of it was how it was written as far as being in the 3rd person. I have read many books written in the 3rd person don’t get me wrong but this one – ummmm….no. I mean you can’t tell me 16 peoples opinion in the same paragraph. Now I have to try to figure out who in the hell you were talking about. I don’t have time for that. I’m trying to read a book to enjoy it not study it.
There was no build up to their relationship. One day they met at the store and less than a week later they are together in this full out relationship. I know the author has written a shit ton of books so maybe she was rushing through this one.
I mean hell, they didn’t even date first! I needed more – you know, like a story maybe?
Here's what I found so frustrating with this book….it had EVERYTHING you need for a good book but was poorly written and executed. I blame that on the author and the publishing company.
This what I think happened and I could be 100% wrong….
Melissa Foster has written a shit ton of books and has been very successful. Due to that I believe her and her team figured this book would be successful on the back of her name. They figured that they had decent story line and a good fan base so the actual character development was not a big deal.
….again this is my personal opinion and I could be 100% wrong.
I know this book has a lot of great rating and most people loved, but it's ok that I am not one of them. But let's talk about how awesome Goodreads is....it gives us a place to share our individual opinions without judgment and we learn about so many great books and authors. Just because I didn't care for this one doesn't mean everyone else won't. Enjoy!
For my complete unfiltered, messy review....https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy....
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
May 25, 2021
"You know my story. I have nothing else to hide."
Melissa Foster's books get to me. It's pure romance, I can't describe it any other way. It may wreck you a bit emotionally, but there's love, and communication, and family. And yes, I think that's what gets to me the most.
"Truman Gritt was hard, he was tattooed, and he looked like he hadn’t shaved in weeks. He was all the things she never thought she’d want, and in two days he’d shown her that none of those things mattered."
I cannot help but love Truman. I am not one of those girls who swoons over a single dad. I kind of think that's what a dad's supposed to do - be there for his kids - , so I don't feel the need to swoon over it. I swooned over Truman though, because these are not his kids. They're his brother and sister, and he steps up to help them because he know what it's like to have nothing, and he doesn't want that life for them.
Truman is a truly special guy. The exterior is obviously dreamy (for me anyway), but it's what's inside that melts your heart and makes you wonder where these are guys hiding IRL.
“I am kinda pushy.”
“Be pushy. Don’t hold back with me. Don’t hold back your worries, your desires, or anything.”
Gemma is so different from him you'd think these two could never hit it off. She's been brought up inside a glass dome, by rich parents who made her more of a decorative object to showcase to their friends than a daughter. But she's her own woman, and she's strong, and I love that about her. I love that she's pushy and that she doesn't give up. That she's not afraid to speak her mind and say what she wants. A woman after my own heart.
“Tru.” Breathless. Always breathless. “I’ve never had enough. Please be too much. I need too much. I need you.”
These two together can light up a whole city. Yep, that's how steamy it gets once everything falls into place. You know, people hide a lot of things, and Truman is hiding a lot of secrets, but once he decides he wants Gemma in his life, he knows he needs to risk losing her. Because if she comes back, once she knows all of him, he knows it's meant to be, and that they're meant to be.
"'He’s all the goodness and all the love I’ve hoped for my whole life wrapped up in one delicious creature. And he’s all mine.'"
Once Gemma realizes life can be quite unforgiving even if you're a good person, and that some people are really dealt a bad hand, she has all she needs to know. And she's able to give herself completely. There was a time when I thought she was gonna back up, and I wanted to kick her ass for it, but Melissa always delivers on that HEA you know you need.
"'The heart doesn’t care about bloodlines or birth parents. It just seems to know how to love in the same way our lungs know how to breathe.'"
The two of them together with Lincoln and Kennedy, his kid brother and sister, are just adorable, especially after knowing more about Gemma and the hand she's been dealt as well. The four of them are not the traditional, normal kind of family (what's traditional and/or normal these days, anyway?) but they work, because there's love. The unconditional, can't-be-bought kind of love.
"'Sweet girl, I can’t offer you glamour or glitz, but I can offer you ice-cream stains, homemade fairy tales, and midnight kisses.'"
The beautiful thing here for me is that for all these people, including the whole Whiskey family, what they have to offer is just who they are. With their pasts, and their history, and the good and bad that happened to them.
And who they are is so much more than enough.
I can't wait to get to the rest of the Whiskey series now!
Melissa Foster's books get to me. It's pure romance, I can't describe it any other way. It may wreck you a bit emotionally, but there's love, and communication, and family. And yes, I think that's what gets to me the most.
"Truman Gritt was hard, he was tattooed, and he looked like he hadn’t shaved in weeks. He was all the things she never thought she’d want, and in two days he’d shown her that none of those things mattered."
I cannot help but love Truman. I am not one of those girls who swoons over a single dad. I kind of think that's what a dad's supposed to do - be there for his kids - , so I don't feel the need to swoon over it. I swooned over Truman though, because these are not his kids. They're his brother and sister, and he steps up to help them because he know what it's like to have nothing, and he doesn't want that life for them.
Truman is a truly special guy. The exterior is obviously dreamy (for me anyway), but it's what's inside that melts your heart and makes you wonder where these are guys hiding IRL.
“I am kinda pushy.”
“Be pushy. Don’t hold back with me. Don’t hold back your worries, your desires, or anything.”
Gemma is so different from him you'd think these two could never hit it off. She's been brought up inside a glass dome, by rich parents who made her more of a decorative object to showcase to their friends than a daughter. But she's her own woman, and she's strong, and I love that about her. I love that she's pushy and that she doesn't give up. That she's not afraid to speak her mind and say what she wants. A woman after my own heart.
“Tru.” Breathless. Always breathless. “I’ve never had enough. Please be too much. I need too much. I need you.”
These two together can light up a whole city. Yep, that's how steamy it gets once everything falls into place. You know, people hide a lot of things, and Truman is hiding a lot of secrets, but once he decides he wants Gemma in his life, he knows he needs to risk losing her. Because if she comes back, once she knows all of him, he knows it's meant to be, and that they're meant to be.
"'He’s all the goodness and all the love I’ve hoped for my whole life wrapped up in one delicious creature. And he’s all mine.'"
Once Gemma realizes life can be quite unforgiving even if you're a good person, and that some people are really dealt a bad hand, she has all she needs to know. And she's able to give herself completely. There was a time when I thought she was gonna back up, and I wanted to kick her ass for it, but Melissa always delivers on that HEA you know you need.
"'The heart doesn’t care about bloodlines or birth parents. It just seems to know how to love in the same way our lungs know how to breathe.'"
The two of them together with Lincoln and Kennedy, his kid brother and sister, are just adorable, especially after knowing more about Gemma and the hand she's been dealt as well. The four of them are not the traditional, normal kind of family (what's traditional and/or normal these days, anyway?) but they work, because there's love. The unconditional, can't-be-bought kind of love.
"'Sweet girl, I can’t offer you glamour or glitz, but I can offer you ice-cream stains, homemade fairy tales, and midnight kisses.'"
The beautiful thing here for me is that for all these people, including the whole Whiskey family, what they have to offer is just who they are. With their pasts, and their history, and the good and bad that happened to them.
And who they are is so much more than enough.
I can't wait to get to the rest of the Whiskey series now!
November 28, 2016
Well, this gorgeous cover made me start this book. Both the guy and the baby attracted my attention.
I mean, look at this, isn't it tempting?
And, it could have been a really good book because it had the potential; however, its writing style kills it all!
It is written in the 3rd person singular, which I am not a fan of, but not only that but also the way it is written made it all hard to concentrate!
“Can you show me how to hook him in?”
“Um, yeah. Sure.” Let me just reel in these crazy hormones. She showed him how to hook the belts and secure the baby, then turned to climb out of the truck, and he was right there.
***
He pictured Gemma’s slim fingers beneath his, that seductive look in her garden-green eyes. Stroke. Stroke. Her tongue sweeping over those crimson lips as she dropped to her knees. Stroke. Stroke. He pressed his palm to the wall, swept up in his erotic fantasy...
This story could have been given from dual point of view, in fact, it was really necessary to do it so, but the writer chose to present the story in the 3rd person for reasons I have no idea about, and then, she had to insert each character's inner thoughts in italics all the time. If she had chosen dual point of view, there wouldn't be that kind of a chaos in writing!
It really makes it hard to concentrate because after each inner thought, I felt as if I was reading from her or his point of view but after a sentence or two, "She said this, He did that..." begins and all my concentration is ruined! I was like this, actually: Hey, who is saying what... ??
And I have another big problem. This is the story of a tattooed, bad-ass looking giant man who has a golden heart: Truman. He meets a gorgeous girl, Gemma, whom he thinks he doesn't deserve and he decides to tell all the truth about his dark past, saying that he doesn't want to begin a relationship with her starting with lies. She appreciates it. But the thing is, he tells the truth with a big lie in it!!!! And the reason why he keeps that truth hidden and goes on with a lie is just ridiculous.
The little kids are cute and their presence adds sweetness to the story. The hero is swoon-worthy except for the lie he keeps telling her, and the heroine is really adorable.
The story gets boring as it develops because there is no angst or anything that makes you curious. It is so predictable and that is why, it becomes dragging after a point.
Long story short, I wouldn't recommend it much. If you ask me, just look at the cover and sigh... Then, pass!
I mean, look at this, isn't it tempting?
And, it could have been a really good book because it had the potential; however, its writing style kills it all!
It is written in the 3rd person singular, which I am not a fan of, but not only that but also the way it is written made it all hard to concentrate!
“Can you show me how to hook him in?”
“Um, yeah. Sure.” Let me just reel in these crazy hormones. She showed him how to hook the belts and secure the baby, then turned to climb out of the truck, and he was right there.
***
He pictured Gemma’s slim fingers beneath his, that seductive look in her garden-green eyes. Stroke. Stroke. Her tongue sweeping over those crimson lips as she dropped to her knees. Stroke. Stroke. He pressed his palm to the wall, swept up in his erotic fantasy...
This story could have been given from dual point of view, in fact, it was really necessary to do it so, but the writer chose to present the story in the 3rd person for reasons I have no idea about, and then, she had to insert each character's inner thoughts in italics all the time. If she had chosen dual point of view, there wouldn't be that kind of a chaos in writing!
It really makes it hard to concentrate because after each inner thought, I felt as if I was reading from her or his point of view but after a sentence or two, "She said this, He did that..." begins and all my concentration is ruined! I was like this, actually: Hey, who is saying what... ??
And I have another big problem. This is the story of a tattooed, bad-ass looking giant man who has a golden heart: Truman. He meets a gorgeous girl, Gemma, whom he thinks he doesn't deserve and he decides to tell all the truth about his dark past, saying that he doesn't want to begin a relationship with her starting with lies. She appreciates it. But the thing is, he tells the truth with a big lie in it!!!! And the reason why he keeps that truth hidden and goes on with a lie is just ridiculous.
The little kids are cute and their presence adds sweetness to the story. The hero is swoon-worthy except for the lie he keeps telling her, and the heroine is really adorable.
The story gets boring as it develops because there is no angst or anything that makes you curious. It is so predictable and that is why, it becomes dragging after a point.
Long story short, I wouldn't recommend it much. If you ask me, just look at the cover and sigh... Then, pass!
October 29, 2016
This book was incredibly heartwarming. It was full of feels, especially the warm and fuzzy kind. It dealt with abuse, addiction, family, friends, expectations, despair, hope, dreams, and letting love in to light up your life. Melissa Foster wrote one awesomely hot gem of a book and I recommend that every romance lover out there take the time to read it!
There are too many adjectives to describe Truman. Humble, respectful, protective, talented and he had an immense capacity to love. Ergo, he more than deserved the moniker of Tru Blue. Paired with Gemma, a spunky and pushy and gorgeous gift of a woman with a heart of gold, their story had intense chemistry and fierce love. Gosh, it was love by the buckets full!
To be honest, I'm still pretty much fangirling over Truman. He was the epitome of a man and I found so much pleasure with him as a character. He was such an awe-inspiring person. It's not often that I fall in love with the hero so quickly, but I loved Truman from the start and it was very hard to let him, and the beautiful family he created, go. Adieu Tru Blue!!
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 4 out of 5
OM/OW:
HEA:
An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review
"The heart doesn't care about bloodlines or birth parents. It just seems to know how to love in the same way our lungs know how to breathe."
There are too many adjectives to describe Truman. Humble, respectful, protective, talented and he had an immense capacity to love. Ergo, he more than deserved the moniker of Tru Blue. Paired with Gemma, a spunky and pushy and gorgeous gift of a woman with a heart of gold, their story had intense chemistry and fierce love. Gosh, it was love by the buckets full!
"This man. This incredible man should be too damaged to know how to love. Too broken to want to embrace life. And yet here he stood, her pillar of strength, revealing all his weaknesses and fears, baring his tormented soul."
To be honest, I'm still pretty much fangirling over Truman. He was the epitome of a man and I found so much pleasure with him as a character. He was such an awe-inspiring person. It's not often that I fall in love with the hero so quickly, but I loved Truman from the start and it was very hard to let him, and the beautiful family he created, go. Adieu Tru Blue!!
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 4 out of 5
OM/OW:
HEA:
An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review
November 10, 2016
A gushy, sexy, hearts and flowers story.
What would you do if you fell in love with the perfect man and then found out he’s not so perfect after all? Good girl Gemma Wright was born with a silver spoon but she’ll probably never have her own fairytale. Even knowing she can’t have kids of her own hasn’t stopped her from wanting her own knight in shining armor who’ll love and protect her and his family. But when she meets the perfect man for her, can she look past his tattoos, hard edges and conviction?
Truman Gritt would damn himself in order to protect his family. As a matter a fact, that’s exactly what he did when he falsely confessed he killed a man thinking it was the best way to safeguard his younger brother. But after being released from prison, his brother still needs help and so do his infant siblings his crack head mother left to fend for themselves. When he meets the stunning and pushy princess boutique owner, can he trust her to let her into his heart and unstable life?
I think this is the first time this year I’ll be able to say “this is my first book by author” Melissa Foster. Ever since 2016 started I’ve been up to my eyeballs in reviews. Granted, they’ve all been by authors I know so they’ve all been great. I can’t complain. But it’s nice to be able to say that I’ve found myself a new author I want to follow. Melissa Foster writes a lovely heart rendering story about hope and love.
Skillfully and movingly written, Tru Blue makes Truman’s pain and distress for his family palpable as he continues to sacrifice himself after a six year stint in jail and now lovingly and without a doubt takes charge of his two tiny siblings even when he has no clue about fatherhood. But with the help of the gorgeous and nosy Gemma he’s not only balancing work and parenting but also a love life he hadn’t expected or thought he ever deserved.
Truman is not just lover and a fighter, he’s a felon and father who was determined to do the right thing by everyone in his life and Gemma is perfect for him, she’s goodness personified, brightening his life and helping him guide his way. The plot is good and kept me engaged throughout and who wouldn’t fall for a gorgeous bad boy adoringly carrying around a baby and a toddler?
Love, of course, is a prime factor. Love not just for family and friends but for that which truly matters, the things that only the heart can see, like trust, loyalty, humility, respect and protectiveness. All the things both hero and heroine have in spades.
I liked the fact that several issues like abandonment and addiction where broached but it didn’t feel like they overwhelmed the story. As I mentioned before, this is my first Melissa Foster book but I have a feeling we got cameos by characters from past books and glimpses of characters of book to come. Which is something I definitely look forward to.
Tru Blue is an absolutely swoony standalone contemporary romance by Melissa Foster. Written from both points of view without unnecessary angst or over the top drama and a very happy ending.
4.5 Tru Blue stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Tasty Book Tours. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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"The heart doesn't care about bloodlines or birth parents. It just seems to know how to love in the same way our lungs know how to breathe."
What would you do if you fell in love with the perfect man and then found out he’s not so perfect after all? Good girl Gemma Wright was born with a silver spoon but she’ll probably never have her own fairytale. Even knowing she can’t have kids of her own hasn’t stopped her from wanting her own knight in shining armor who’ll love and protect her and his family. But when she meets the perfect man for her, can she look past his tattoos, hard edges and conviction?
"Beneath all that rough armor was the kindest, gentlest, most loyal man she could ever imagine."
Truman Gritt would damn himself in order to protect his family. As a matter a fact, that’s exactly what he did when he falsely confessed he killed a man thinking it was the best way to safeguard his younger brother. But after being released from prison, his brother still needs help and so do his infant siblings his crack head mother left to fend for themselves. When he meets the stunning and pushy princess boutique owner, can he trust her to let her into his heart and unstable life?
"This man. This incredible man should be too damaged to know how to love. Too broken to want to embrace life. And yet here he stood, her pillar of strength, revealing all his weaknesses and fears, baring his tormented soul."
I think this is the first time this year I’ll be able to say “this is my first book by author” Melissa Foster. Ever since 2016 started I’ve been up to my eyeballs in reviews. Granted, they’ve all been by authors I know so they’ve all been great. I can’t complain. But it’s nice to be able to say that I’ve found myself a new author I want to follow. Melissa Foster writes a lovely heart rendering story about hope and love.
"He’d known tragedy, desperation, and destitution. He was a survivor, a savior to his siblings and mother. He should be crumbling, but his painful past had etched composure and dignity into his handsome face."
Skillfully and movingly written, Tru Blue makes Truman’s pain and distress for his family palpable as he continues to sacrifice himself after a six year stint in jail and now lovingly and without a doubt takes charge of his two tiny siblings even when he has no clue about fatherhood. But with the help of the gorgeous and nosy Gemma he’s not only balancing work and parenting but also a love life he hadn’t expected or thought he ever deserved.
Truman is not just lover and a fighter, he’s a felon and father who was determined to do the right thing by everyone in his life and Gemma is perfect for him, she’s goodness personified, brightening his life and helping him guide his way. The plot is good and kept me engaged throughout and who wouldn’t fall for a gorgeous bad boy adoringly carrying around a baby and a toddler?
Love, of course, is a prime factor. Love not just for family and friends but for that which truly matters, the things that only the heart can see, like trust, loyalty, humility, respect and protectiveness. All the things both hero and heroine have in spades.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I liked the fact that several issues like abandonment and addiction where broached but it didn’t feel like they overwhelmed the story. As I mentioned before, this is my first Melissa Foster book but I have a feeling we got cameos by characters from past books and glimpses of characters of book to come. Which is something I definitely look forward to.
Tru Blue is an absolutely swoony standalone contemporary romance by Melissa Foster. Written from both points of view without unnecessary angst or over the top drama and a very happy ending.
4.5 Tru Blue stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Tasty Book Tours. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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March 25, 2017
This is currently on sale for only $1.99 You have to one click it right now. http://amzn.to/2mBojZf
I think I fell in love with Truman on the first page and I just fell deeper and deeper as the story progressed. I just couldn’t get enough of him or his story and I hung on every word of this book.
I expected something really dark and I went into this feeling very apprehensive as I just wasn’t in the mood for something dark and devastating. Thank god that wasn’t how this book was written and the amount of love that poured off the pages was so perfect and beautiful. There were a few moments of darkness but they were few and far between and the over whelming beauty of the book had me smiling and swooning so much more than I cried.
Tru was beyond perfection. He was the ultimate heart of golf in an inked armour and I can’t ever express how amazing he was. The way he loved his family made my ovaries explode and my heart beat out of my chest while tears streamed down my face. He was just incredible. And he absolutely made this entire book for me.
Gemma was amazing most of the time but at others she annoyed me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her and I thought she was great for Truman but she had a few moments where I wanted to smack her and tell her not to be an idiot.
This is the first time I have read a Melissa Foster book and I am so happy because if any of her other heroes are anything like Tru I can now go stalk her and add a whole heap of new book boyfriends to my ever growing list.
Check out my reviews here
I think I fell in love with Truman on the first page and I just fell deeper and deeper as the story progressed. I just couldn’t get enough of him or his story and I hung on every word of this book.
I expected something really dark and I went into this feeling very apprehensive as I just wasn’t in the mood for something dark and devastating. Thank god that wasn’t how this book was written and the amount of love that poured off the pages was so perfect and beautiful. There were a few moments of darkness but they were few and far between and the over whelming beauty of the book had me smiling and swooning so much more than I cried.
Tru was beyond perfection. He was the ultimate heart of golf in an inked armour and I can’t ever express how amazing he was. The way he loved his family made my ovaries explode and my heart beat out of my chest while tears streamed down my face. He was just incredible. And he absolutely made this entire book for me.
“I never thought I needed anyone, but I’m starting to think I was just waiting for you.”
Gemma was amazing most of the time but at others she annoyed me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her and I thought she was great for Truman but she had a few moments where I wanted to smack her and tell her not to be an idiot.
This is the first time I have read a Melissa Foster book and I am so happy because if any of her other heroes are anything like Tru I can now go stalk her and add a whole heap of new book boyfriends to my ever growing list.
Check out my reviews here
November 9, 2016
**4.25 "Hot guys with babies" Stars**
Well, I pretty much devoured this book. It was one I was particularly looking forward to and it did not disappoint.
Truman was a wonderful hero. Who doesn't love a gruff tattated up hero *sigh*. Ovaries will be exploding all over the place with this one. He took those babies and just decided they were HIS...his children. He had a rough life but he was going to do everything he could to make theirs better.
Gemma was a great heroine. I didn't like her quite as much as I liked Tru but she was still good. She hopped right in and helped him any way she could. She got on my nerves a tiny bit. I'm just the type that if I have a perfect hero, I need a perfect heroine to give him all the love he deserves. There were a couple of times where, while her reactions were perfectly normal, I wanted to shake her and tell her to not think about that because he was perfect. But thankfully it didn't take her too long to come around.
There's plenty of hot men to look forward to their stories and MAN! Were they all over those babies...ovaries exploding I tell ya!
There was a nice little epilogue but not too far in the future. I realize there's more stories to come but I really like them wrapped up in a nice bow way into the future. I have to know their HEA is forever.
Well, I pretty much devoured this book. It was one I was particularly looking forward to and it did not disappoint.
Truman was a wonderful hero. Who doesn't love a gruff tattated up hero *sigh*. Ovaries will be exploding all over the place with this one. He took those babies and just decided they were HIS...his children. He had a rough life but he was going to do everything he could to make theirs better.
Gemma was a great heroine. I didn't like her quite as much as I liked Tru but she was still good. She hopped right in and helped him any way she could. She got on my nerves a tiny bit. I'm just the type that if I have a perfect hero, I need a perfect heroine to give him all the love he deserves. There were a couple of times where, while her reactions were perfectly normal, I wanted to shake her and tell her to not think about that because he was perfect. But thankfully it didn't take her too long to come around.
There's plenty of hot men to look forward to their stories and MAN! Were they all over those babies...ovaries exploding I tell ya!
There was a nice little epilogue but not too far in the future. I realize there's more stories to come but I really like them wrapped up in a nice bow way into the future. I have to know their HEA is forever.
November 10, 2016
4.5 stars
Tru Blue by Melissa Foster will draw you in from the first page.
The writing is well done, the storyline is emotional, sweet, heartwarming and the drama was just enough to keep you reading until the end.
*He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover...
There's nothing Truman Gritt won't do to protect his family--Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn't commit.
When he's finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother's overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she's left behind. Truman's hard, he's secretive, and he's trying to save a brother who's even more broken than he is.
He's never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he's less than accepting.
But Gemma has a way of slithering into people's lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart.
When Truman's dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he'll be faced with his toughest decision yet.*
Truman/Tru and Gemma were characters I easily connected with. I loved their passion, I loved their honesty and I loved the way they loved unconditionally.
These two have not had an easy life, both are dealing with emotional baggage from past hurts and a relationship is the last thing they're looking for.
But the more time they spend together the harder it is for them to ignore the feelings consuming them day and night.
And when they finally give into these feelings... BOOM
Damn these two were HOT! *fans self*
As described in the blurb, watching Tru caring for his siblings really touched me.
The way he held and comforted them made my heart explode, who knew this harda*s would turn into such a softy.
Then add the beautiful relationship between Tru and Gemma?
ALL THE FEELS!
In closing, Tru Blue was well written page turning read that will touch you.
Both the main and secondary characters played a role in making Tru Blue such a memorable and enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it.
*Purchase Links*
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-dark-sexy...
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tru-b...
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/tru-...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
*ARC was received in exchange for my honest thoughts*
Tru Blue by Melissa Foster will draw you in from the first page.
The writing is well done, the storyline is emotional, sweet, heartwarming and the drama was just enough to keep you reading until the end.
*He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover...
There's nothing Truman Gritt won't do to protect his family--Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn't commit.
When he's finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother's overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she's left behind. Truman's hard, he's secretive, and he's trying to save a brother who's even more broken than he is.
He's never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he's less than accepting.
But Gemma has a way of slithering into people's lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart.
When Truman's dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he'll be faced with his toughest decision yet.*
Truman/Tru and Gemma were characters I easily connected with. I loved their passion, I loved their honesty and I loved the way they loved unconditionally.
These two have not had an easy life, both are dealing with emotional baggage from past hurts and a relationship is the last thing they're looking for.
But the more time they spend together the harder it is for them to ignore the feelings consuming them day and night.
And when they finally give into these feelings... BOOM
Damn these two were HOT! *fans self*
As described in the blurb, watching Tru caring for his siblings really touched me.
The way he held and comforted them made my heart explode, who knew this harda*s would turn into such a softy.
Then add the beautiful relationship between Tru and Gemma?
ALL THE FEELS!
In closing, Tru Blue was well written page turning read that will touch you.
Both the main and secondary characters played a role in making Tru Blue such a memorable and enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it.
*Purchase Links*
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-dark-sexy...
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tru-b...
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/tru-...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
*ARC was received in exchange for my honest thoughts*
November 3, 2016
Warning: This book may cause pregnancy simply by reading it. You may also experience an unusual ache in your ovaries.
It only took mere minutes for me to completely fall in love with this story. Truman has been keeping his life on the straight and narrow, since he was released from prison six months ago. He is no criminal though. He served time for a crime he didn't commit, protecting someone in his life who he wanted a better life for. Little did he know that in doing so, he imposed a sentence on both of them. Whilst he was locked up with a roof over his head and three meals a day, his younger brother was still living in hell with their mother.
He has just had a frantic call from his brother for help. yet again. This time the plea is different and about to once again change the path of Truman's life. His mother is dead and unbeknownst to him has two more children - the moment he sees them is incredibly heart breaking to read about. My chest was aching for these kids and what their life thus far had been like. Truman doesn't even need pause to think about what he needs to do he gathers these poor defenseless babies into his arms and takes them home with him. *thud*
Truman knows all about sacrifice and has been through enough shit in his lifetime to know that this is the right thing to do. He and his brother may have had a shitty childhood but he is damned if his wee brother and sister will suffer the same fate. This is a chance to redeem his soul and do something selfless - however in my opinion he already did for his brother Quincy.
Truman now has to get his head around, bottles, baby food, diapers, shitty bums, nappy rash, clothing, car seats, cribs, play pens and god help him - a schedule. He is feeling very overwhelmed with everything he has to think of when he meets Gemma. Sweet Gemma comes into his life like a fairy godmother. She is beautiful, kind and seems to know stuff about what children need. He is initially reluctant to let her into his life but her persistence eventually does pay off.
Truman absolutely adores his wee siblings, Kennedy & Lincoln - there are so many heart melting moments between them. From the moment he collected them he has put them first, with no hesitation whatsoever. It doesn't take long for a very strong bond to form between them. However, he is a convicted felon and the fear of having them taken away from him is ever present. The more he gets to know and falls for Gemma the more he has the same doubts about a future with her. He has to be honest with her if he wants to move forward. She needs to know everything about his past before things get serious between them and he also knows that in doing so she may choose to walk away.
I freaking loved this story! I love how much Truman loved those children, like most new parents, he fumbled through until he found his rhythm and was able to give them the life he wished he had himself. A childhood filled with love and happy memories. Melissa does a fabulous job capturing all the raw emotion between all of these characters and I felt everything. Love it when that happens :-)
It only took mere minutes for me to completely fall in love with this story. Truman has been keeping his life on the straight and narrow, since he was released from prison six months ago. He is no criminal though. He served time for a crime he didn't commit, protecting someone in his life who he wanted a better life for. Little did he know that in doing so, he imposed a sentence on both of them. Whilst he was locked up with a roof over his head and three meals a day, his younger brother was still living in hell with their mother.
He has just had a frantic call from his brother for help. yet again. This time the plea is different and about to once again change the path of Truman's life. His mother is dead and unbeknownst to him has two more children - the moment he sees them is incredibly heart breaking to read about. My chest was aching for these kids and what their life thus far had been like. Truman doesn't even need pause to think about what he needs to do he gathers these poor defenseless babies into his arms and takes them home with him. *thud*
Truman knows all about sacrifice and has been through enough shit in his lifetime to know that this is the right thing to do. He and his brother may have had a shitty childhood but he is damned if his wee brother and sister will suffer the same fate. This is a chance to redeem his soul and do something selfless - however in my opinion he already did for his brother Quincy.
Truman now has to get his head around, bottles, baby food, diapers, shitty bums, nappy rash, clothing, car seats, cribs, play pens and god help him - a schedule. He is feeling very overwhelmed with everything he has to think of when he meets Gemma. Sweet Gemma comes into his life like a fairy godmother. She is beautiful, kind and seems to know stuff about what children need. He is initially reluctant to let her into his life but her persistence eventually does pay off.
Truman absolutely adores his wee siblings, Kennedy & Lincoln - there are so many heart melting moments between them. From the moment he collected them he has put them first, with no hesitation whatsoever. It doesn't take long for a very strong bond to form between them. However, he is a convicted felon and the fear of having them taken away from him is ever present. The more he gets to know and falls for Gemma the more he has the same doubts about a future with her. He has to be honest with her if he wants to move forward. She needs to know everything about his past before things get serious between them and he also knows that in doing so she may choose to walk away.
I freaking loved this story! I love how much Truman loved those children, like most new parents, he fumbled through until he found his rhythm and was able to give them the life he wished he had himself. A childhood filled with love and happy memories. Melissa does a fabulous job capturing all the raw emotion between all of these characters and I felt everything. Love it when that happens :-)
August 1, 2017
Changed from 3.5 Stars to 3 Stars.
I expected to like Tru Blue more to be honest. It is a go to trope for me. Hot, rugged Daddy with adorable children and although it had all the elements that makes a good romance I still wasn't feeling it.
I can't point my finger on anything specific where I say that I didn't like that or I didn't like that.
Tru is a fantastic Hero, the way he goes in and just takes those kids under his wings? Beautiful, my ovaries exploded more than once during this book.
Gemma is an angel with the kids and there is something about Tru that she finds so attractive. My heart bled for Gemma's situation but she considered herself to be one of the lucky ones. I love how that was done that although there is an ache she is still upbeat about everything and lives her life the way she wants to.
And yet I still wasn't feeling it.... I think I must be emotionally kaputt at the moment.
I think that me not liking the book is me and no one else. It is sweet and sexy and adorable to read. I for me was just missing some spice some action. I think the other books I've been reading just rubbed off on me.
Just because I wasn't keen on it doesn't mean you won't be.
I will read Bear's book as well.
I expected to like Tru Blue more to be honest. It is a go to trope for me. Hot, rugged Daddy with adorable children and although it had all the elements that makes a good romance I still wasn't feeling it.
I can't point my finger on anything specific where I say that I didn't like that or I didn't like that.
Tru is a fantastic Hero, the way he goes in and just takes those kids under his wings? Beautiful, my ovaries exploded more than once during this book.
Gemma is an angel with the kids and there is something about Tru that she finds so attractive. My heart bled for Gemma's situation but she considered herself to be one of the lucky ones. I love how that was done that although there is an ache she is still upbeat about everything and lives her life the way she wants to.
And yet I still wasn't feeling it.... I think I must be emotionally kaputt at the moment.
I think that me not liking the book is me and no one else. It is sweet and sexy and adorable to read. I for me was just missing some spice some action. I think the other books I've been reading just rubbed off on me.
Just because I wasn't keen on it doesn't mean you won't be.
I will read Bear's book as well.
November 10, 2016
4.5 stars
April 8, 2017
Well, apparently I'm the only one who hadn't read this book. I can't believe this fantastic story has been on my Kindle all this time.
Truman was damn near perfect. His interactions with Kennedy and Lincoln had me swooning all over the place. He was amazing-top alpha hero amazing.
I ended up liking Gemma a lot, even though there was a brief moment that she made me angry. It didn't last long before I was back in her corner.
-no cheating or ow/om drama whatsoever
-brief period of pushing away by Gemma- couple days tops
-great secondary characters - I'm not sure about Crystal's story though because I don't like that brazen, in your face typo of heroine. She was pushing Bear away in this book and that's not my thing.
-unfortunately the epilogue didn't cut it for me. It was only about 5 months out and I needed more. That is the only reason this book wasn't 5 stars for me.
Truman was damn near perfect. His interactions with Kennedy and Lincoln had me swooning all over the place. He was amazing-top alpha hero amazing.
I ended up liking Gemma a lot, even though there was a brief moment that she made me angry. It didn't last long before I was back in her corner.
-no cheating or ow/om drama whatsoever
-brief period of pushing away by Gemma- couple days tops
-great secondary characters - I'm not sure about Crystal's story though because I don't like that brazen, in your face typo of heroine. She was pushing Bear away in this book and that's not my thing.
-unfortunately the epilogue didn't cut it for me. It was only about 5 months out and I needed more. That is the only reason this book wasn't 5 stars for me.
November 9, 2016
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Beware of Spoilers!
Star Ratings:
Heroine (Gemma): 26yrs old – 3/5
Hero (Truman): 26yrs old? – 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Grovel: none needed
Cheating: none
HEA: yes
Triggers: none
Average score: 4/5
Best Line: “They’re my kids, Gemma,” he repeated. “Have been from the day I found them.”
Worst Line: “He killed a man” – stop being so judgmental girl!
Personal Review:
This was a great romance between a loyal and strong alpha male who would do anything for his family and a woman from a rich background who wants to find genuine love.
Random Ramblings
•Men looking after babies will always be sexy to me
•I have never heard of the name ‘Gemaline’ – it sounds wrong
•So proud of the H for stepping up for his siblings
•The best fairy tale bedtime story!
•The h was a little pushier than I usually like
•I hated the h for leaving him after he opened up to her – she should be ashamed of herself
•I think I have more respect for people who overcome awful childhoods with abuse/little money/no love than people who had rich parents but weren’t 'loved' enough
•I LOVED the bikers’ protectiveness around the children
Overall Feeling:
“I can’t offer you glamour or glitz, but I can offer you ice-cream stains, homemade fairy tales, and midnight kisses.”
Beware of Spoilers!
Star Ratings:
Heroine (Gemma): 26yrs old – 3/5
Hero (Truman): 26yrs old? – 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Grovel: none needed
Cheating: none
HEA: yes
Triggers: none
Average score: 4/5
Best Line: “They’re my kids, Gemma,” he repeated. “Have been from the day I found them.”
Worst Line: “He killed a man” – stop being so judgmental girl!
Personal Review:
This was a great romance between a loyal and strong alpha male who would do anything for his family and a woman from a rich background who wants to find genuine love.
Random Ramblings
•Men looking after babies will always be sexy to me
•I have never heard of the name ‘Gemaline’ – it sounds wrong
•So proud of the H for stepping up for his siblings
•The best fairy tale bedtime story!
•The h was a little pushier than I usually like
•I hated the h for leaving him after he opened up to her – she should be ashamed of herself
•I think I have more respect for people who overcome awful childhoods with abuse/little money/no love than people who had rich parents but weren’t 'loved' enough
•I LOVED the bikers’ protectiveness around the children
Overall Feeling:
“I can’t offer you glamour or glitz, but I can offer you ice-cream stains, homemade fairy tales, and midnight kisses.”
November 4, 2017
I love it!!! It was such a beautiful love story with plenty of drama and angst and love and sex. Great set of secondary characters.
August 25, 2018
Took me a while to get to this one, but LOVED 💜💜💜💜
November 11, 2016
Loved this book! I don't think there is anything sexier than a man who is good with kids and Truman was amazing. The amount of love he had right away for Kennedy and Lincoln - it was so sweet! ❤️️ Gemma was a fantastic heroine and she was so loving with Tru and the kids. I really liked the supporting characters as well and hope some of them get their own stories!
November 15, 2016
Oh my stars!! This story....the feels, man!!! Truman is fresh out of prison and wants nothing to do with his brother or mother. Seriously, Tru is one of those perfect book boyfriends. He has this dark past, but as you learn more about it and him, you only love him more! For anyone wondering, the kids are Tru's siblings, not his own children. So, no OW drama.
The part of the story I struggled with was the relationship between him and Gemma. Its like meet straight to love. There isn't much development in their relationship. However, Tru is so amazing, if I were Gemma and had the chance to snatch him up, I might move at light speed too...just saying. But, the build up of a relationship is a bit absent in this story
Overall, the story isn't as angsty as I expected. Its more sweet and filled with adorable moments (between Tru and Gemma and with the kids!). If you want a book that will just make you swoon and smile, this is the perfect read!
The part of the story I struggled with was the relationship between him and Gemma. Its like meet straight to love. There isn't much development in their relationship. However, Tru is so amazing, if I were Gemma and had the chance to snatch him up, I might move at light speed too...just saying. But, the build up of a relationship is a bit absent in this story
Overall, the story isn't as angsty as I expected. Its more sweet and filled with adorable moments (between Tru and Gemma and with the kids!). If you want a book that will just make you swoon and smile, this is the perfect read!
March 20, 2017
Sexy and Heartbreaking....I simply adored this beautifully written romance by Foster. This was the first by Foster that was a bit different, a bit darker, with characters, such as Truman Gritt, that had been through some major life changes. Just out of prison for a murder he didn't commit, Truman is ready to get back to his NORMAL existence, even a little BORING might be nice, but one fateful night he receives a phone call that will change his life forever.
Tru Blue is a journey of strength, faith and making the absolute sacrifice for those that you love. It's about finding love in the most unlikely places, and for four lost souls, it's about creating a unbreakable bond and forming an unconventional family. I just LOVED this book.
Tru Blue is a journey of strength, faith and making the absolute sacrifice for those that you love. It's about finding love in the most unlikely places, and for four lost souls, it's about creating a unbreakable bond and forming an unconventional family. I just LOVED this book.
November 17, 2016
I Loved Loved LOVED this book! Tru is my new Book Boyfriend! <3
December 25, 2016
Super duper sweet story. Kids were really cute. Truman was perfect.
But here are my issues. Tru had no hesitation about taking on the kids. No "buyers remorse" not even when they are peeing and pooping on him. That was just not believable to me. But hey - it is romantic FICTION
My biggest complaint was the insta something. I love insta...but I swear I missed it here. They met, she helped him out, he helped her out and all of a sudden she is the bees knees. I swear I was listening to this on audio and I replayed it because I swore I had to have missed a chapter where they fell for each other. But nothing. It made no sense. So their chemistry felt "off" for me. I also thought the heroine was a self righteous bitch at times. I did not totally dislike her, but she was so holierthanthou it was not endearing. I thought she should have given him the benefit of the doubt and had more faith in him. However, I hated that he kept the secret from her. I just could not support a lifetime of lying to someone about something HUGE. Glad it worked out, shocked she was not upset AT ALL, but I would totally have been pissed that my man was prepared to lie to me for life!
All my bitching aside, it really was a sweet story. If you like kids in romance books, this is a good one. No OW/OM at all. Really safe.
But here are my issues. Tru had no hesitation about taking on the kids. No "buyers remorse" not even when they are peeing and pooping on him. That was just not believable to me. But hey - it is romantic FICTION
My biggest complaint was the insta something. I love insta...but I swear I missed it here. They met, she helped him out, he helped her out and all of a sudden she is the bees knees. I swear I was listening to this on audio and I replayed it because I swore I had to have missed a chapter where they fell for each other. But nothing. It made no sense. So their chemistry felt "off" for me. I also thought the heroine was a self righteous bitch at times. I did not totally dislike her, but she was so holierthanthou it was not endearing. I thought she should have given him the benefit of the doubt and had more faith in him. However, I hated that he kept the secret from her. I just could not support a lifetime of lying to someone about something HUGE. Glad it worked out, shocked she was not upset AT ALL, but I would totally have been pissed that my man was prepared to lie to me for life!
All my bitching aside, it really was a sweet story. If you like kids in romance books, this is a good one. No OW/OM at all. Really safe.
March 1, 2017
4 stars!
This was such a gorgeous book! Sweet and sexy with a lot of heart, and super-functional for the win!
Truman Gritt’s life was always hard – growing up in near poverty with a neglectful, drug-addicted mother – but it completely fell apart when he stepped in to protect his family and ended up going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After spending 6 years locked away, he is out now and trying to get his life back on track, that includes working hard and trying to help his troubled young brother while staying away from his toxic mother. When a desperate phone call brings him home he discovers that his mother has overdosed, leaving a toddler and an infant behind – siblings that he didn’t even know about. There is no way he can leave them, so he takes them to his home, becoming a surrogate father, determined to raise them right and give them the love, support and safety that he never experienced as a child.
Gemma Wright is a smart, confident woman whose childhood was almost the complete opposite of Truman’s. She grew up in wealth and privilege, but also without love, and she wants nothing more than to find true love and experience the family life that she never experienced. When she sees a gorgeous yet rough looking man struggling with two infants in a supermarket late at night, she recognises that he is completely out her his element and she steps in to offer her assistance. Putting the two of them on a fast-track to something special.
I love these characters! Truman’s huge heart is irresistible, and the way he turns his whole life upside down to care for his siblings absolutely melted me! He has so much love, and he takes on the responsibility of raising them without a word of complaint – recognising it as the privilege that it is. And it was gorgeous to see him with the little ones. And Gemma is fantastic. She is so open and forthright, and I love the way she just insinuates herself into Truman’s life, being there for him and the kids without question.
Their love story is fast paced but realistic as they become a part of each other’s lives and begin falling for each other pretty much instantly - but I could feel it right along with them so it totally worked for me. It was super sweet and beautifully romantic as Truman and Gemma completely opened up their hearts to each other. Gemma’s unreserved love and acceptance of Truman and his past is gorgeous, and once again Truman absolutely swept me away as he set about making Gemma happy in every way that he could. He is romantic, thoughtful, sweet and so caring. And OMG, he is all kinds of hot, and the sexy time is sizzling.
But the ghosts of Truman’s past continue to have a hold on him, and when the promise of all that he and Gemma have built is under threat, how far will he be willing to go to hold on to it?
I loved this book. It’s emotional and heartwarming and beautifully romantic. I was immediately swept up in Tru and Gemma’s story, and I happily rode the wave with them. There’s a great bunch of side characters that were both sweet and hugely entertaining, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Melissa Foster’s work to get to know them better.
This is a great read and I really enjoyed it. It warmed my heart and made me swoon and left me with a big grin on my face.
4 stars.
This was such a gorgeous book! Sweet and sexy with a lot of heart, and super-functional for the win!
Truman Gritt’s life was always hard – growing up in near poverty with a neglectful, drug-addicted mother – but it completely fell apart when he stepped in to protect his family and ended up going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After spending 6 years locked away, he is out now and trying to get his life back on track, that includes working hard and trying to help his troubled young brother while staying away from his toxic mother. When a desperate phone call brings him home he discovers that his mother has overdosed, leaving a toddler and an infant behind – siblings that he didn’t even know about. There is no way he can leave them, so he takes them to his home, becoming a surrogate father, determined to raise them right and give them the love, support and safety that he never experienced as a child.
Gemma Wright is a smart, confident woman whose childhood was almost the complete opposite of Truman’s. She grew up in wealth and privilege, but also without love, and she wants nothing more than to find true love and experience the family life that she never experienced. When she sees a gorgeous yet rough looking man struggling with two infants in a supermarket late at night, she recognises that he is completely out her his element and she steps in to offer her assistance. Putting the two of them on a fast-track to something special.
“I never thought I needed anyone, but I’m starting to think I was just waiting for you.”
I love these characters! Truman’s huge heart is irresistible, and the way he turns his whole life upside down to care for his siblings absolutely melted me! He has so much love, and he takes on the responsibility of raising them without a word of complaint – recognising it as the privilege that it is. And it was gorgeous to see him with the little ones. And Gemma is fantastic. She is so open and forthright, and I love the way she just insinuates herself into Truman’s life, being there for him and the kids without question.
Their love story is fast paced but realistic as they become a part of each other’s lives and begin falling for each other pretty much instantly - but I could feel it right along with them so it totally worked for me. It was super sweet and beautifully romantic as Truman and Gemma completely opened up their hearts to each other. Gemma’s unreserved love and acceptance of Truman and his past is gorgeous, and once again Truman absolutely swept me away as he set about making Gemma happy in every way that he could. He is romantic, thoughtful, sweet and so caring. And OMG, he is all kinds of hot, and the sexy time is sizzling.
“I want to wrap you up in me until you can feel how much I want you. I want to make you feel as wanted as you make me feel, because I want you Gemma, all of you. I’ve never felt like this before. I feel like this is my first time."
But the ghosts of Truman’s past continue to have a hold on him, and when the promise of all that he and Gemma have built is under threat, how far will he be willing to go to hold on to it?
I loved this book. It’s emotional and heartwarming and beautifully romantic. I was immediately swept up in Tru and Gemma’s story, and I happily rode the wave with them. There’s a great bunch of side characters that were both sweet and hugely entertaining, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Melissa Foster’s work to get to know them better.
This is a great read and I really enjoyed it. It warmed my heart and made me swoon and left me with a big grin on my face.
4 stars.
July 6, 2023
I am not ashamed to say that I cried quite a bit while reading Tru Blue. Ms. Foster, went for the gut with Truman and Gemma. Tru was complicated. Just when I thought I had a read on him, he threw me off course again. From family man to convicted felon, to sensitive soul, there were many sides to this warrior. He had the heart of a lover but the soul of a fighter. His need to protect those he loved, forced him to make some tough decisions. In trying to do the right thing, he changed the course of so many lives and sacrificed the most precious parts of himself. Gemma is his redemption. She's his conscience when he loses his way, his helper when he needs it and his biggest fan when he loses faith. Tru Blue is more than a romance, it is a story of love, a story of hope and a story of courage. 10 + stars.
Copyright of Night Owl Reviews
Audiobook Review: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster (Author), Paul Woodson (Narrator)
Tru Blue is a favorite story of mine. Each time I read the ballad of Gemma and Tru, it feels like the first time. Truman is more than the label that life has painted on his chest. He's a beautiful soul working his way through an ugly situation. It's hard to walk through a heartbeat when a heartache is just around the corner. Foster turns the pain into a beautiful love song with a haunting melody that captures the power of forgiveness, even at the price of hope. The addition of Mr. Woodson makes the journey even more real, because he gives an emotional performance through the eyes of an unforgettable character. (5 + stars)
Copyright of Night Owl Reviews
Audiobook Review: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster (Author), Paul Woodson (Narrator)
Tru Blue is a favorite story of mine. Each time I read the ballad of Gemma and Tru, it feels like the first time. Truman is more than the label that life has painted on his chest. He's a beautiful soul working his way through an ugly situation. It's hard to walk through a heartbeat when a heartache is just around the corner. Foster turns the pain into a beautiful love song with a haunting melody that captures the power of forgiveness, even at the price of hope. The addition of Mr. Woodson makes the journey even more real, because he gives an emotional performance through the eyes of an unforgettable character. (5 + stars)
September 9, 2016
Oh. My. God... This book... *sigh*
It is such a powerful, gritty, emotional, heart-wrenching, soul searching read.
I ran through a gamut of emotions: laughter, tears, heart palpitations, extreme sadness, heartache, love and affection...but most of all, hope.
Hope for redemption, hope for change, and hope for a future.
The storyline and characters are so strong, and it drew me in deep from the first chapter, no...the first paragraph. I could tell this book was going to be different from Melissa's other books, but in a good way. It's a much darker, grittier read than normal, but we do get the usual HEA. Although the struggles and angst that have to be dealt with on the way will chew you up and spit you out.
I love Melissa Foster's writing and enjoy all her books, for different reasons. Some are amusing, some are extremely emotional reads, and then another will be so thought provoking and eye-opening...but I was so absorbed in this book that I could not put it down until I'd read the very last word, and the story stayed with me for days afterwards.
In my opinion, this is her BEST BOOK YET! And it really, really needs to be made into a film!!!!
If you only read one book this year - make sure it's this one!
It is such a powerful, gritty, emotional, heart-wrenching, soul searching read.
I ran through a gamut of emotions: laughter, tears, heart palpitations, extreme sadness, heartache, love and affection...but most of all, hope.
Hope for redemption, hope for change, and hope for a future.
The storyline and characters are so strong, and it drew me in deep from the first chapter, no...the first paragraph. I could tell this book was going to be different from Melissa's other books, but in a good way. It's a much darker, grittier read than normal, but we do get the usual HEA. Although the struggles and angst that have to be dealt with on the way will chew you up and spit you out.
I love Melissa Foster's writing and enjoy all her books, for different reasons. Some are amusing, some are extremely emotional reads, and then another will be so thought provoking and eye-opening...but I was so absorbed in this book that I could not put it down until I'd read the very last word, and the story stayed with me for days afterwards.
In my opinion, this is her BEST BOOK YET! And it really, really needs to be made into a film!!!!
If you only read one book this year - make sure it's this one!
July 10, 2021
3.5 sugar cookie stars
Tru Blue pulled me in pretty quick due to the multiple boxes this book checked early on:
Romance novel ✔
Hot, tattooed bad-boy ✔
Heroine who was not a teacher, baker, artist or ballerina ✔
(though, minus half a check because bad boy tattoo guy was an artist)
Under 250 pages ✔
FREE via Amazon ✔
I am not ashamed in the slightest that page length and price speak so strongly to me. If you read romance (which I do), you cannot possibly afford the time or $$$ to burn through all the romance books out there worth reading. Worse, putting forth the time AND money for the ones that aren’t.
Moving on.
Tru Blue started out strong, right from the gate.
Truman and Gemma meet almost as soon as the story begins, which I appreciate from a reader’s standpoint. From the get-go, there is an instantaneous attraction but not insta-love, which is a distinction that for some people (not me), matters.
Gemma is hot, funny, outspoken and pushy in a way that speaks to Truman.
And Gemma finds Truman and his tattooed muscles, equally appealing but it’s his tender and protective ways with a toddler and baby that makes any woman reading go all:
Including ME.
So, the characters were cool, the chemistry between them was smokin’ and the story was great.
Until it wasn’t.
Don’t get me wrong. I liked the story overall, but as the book progressed, I felt like it lost its steam.
We, the readers, are supposed to believe that Gemma and Truman, while completely different, both know what it's like to grow up feeling unloved.
Except, Gemma's version of that involves growing up in a gated community with nannies and rich-as-fuck-but-emotionally-absent parents.
Call me callous, but
Every single time she would compare her situation to Truman’s, I’d lose IQ points. Hello!!!!! That is NOT the same as growing up in squalor with a drug-addicted mother who both abused and neglected her children.
Like….. Not. Even. Close.
I kept waiting for someone, ANYONE, to give Gemma a reality check and clue her in to how insensitive and delusional she was, but it never happened. Probably because that would involve having an actual conflict and this book just wasn't about that.
Also, is it just me, or was Truman tooooooo sweet???
Like the continuous OTT revelations he would make regarding his FEELINGS and how much he cared about the kids and Gemma and life and love…. it was too, too much.
He went from hot bad boy to a freakin’ Care Bear less than halfway in.
I prefer my heroes to be a little darker and…… meaner, maybe (which, is probably saying a hell of a lot more about me than I want to analyze, but, whatever). I like the men in my fiction to be a little less cavity-inducing.
ANYWAY, despite the plot not being very angsty and the hero being too sweet for my tastes, I still liked this story. Now, I was all ready to read the next book in this series until I discovered that it was NOT available via KU. Since I’m going to have to shell out actual cash to continue on with these books, I may need to do some investigating and see if the subsequent heroes are just as sugary- because if so, I think I may pass and spend my money on some actual alpha-holes.😉
Tru Blue pulled me in pretty quick due to the multiple boxes this book checked early on:
Romance novel ✔
Hot, tattooed bad-boy ✔
Heroine who was not a teacher, baker, artist or ballerina ✔
(though, minus half a check because bad boy tattoo guy was an artist)
Under 250 pages ✔
FREE via Amazon ✔
I am not ashamed in the slightest that page length and price speak so strongly to me. If you read romance (which I do), you cannot possibly afford the time or $$$ to burn through all the romance books out there worth reading. Worse, putting forth the time AND money for the ones that aren’t.
Moving on.
Tru Blue started out strong, right from the gate.
Truman and Gemma meet almost as soon as the story begins, which I appreciate from a reader’s standpoint. From the get-go, there is an instantaneous attraction but not insta-love, which is a distinction that for some people (not me), matters.
Gemma is hot, funny, outspoken and pushy in a way that speaks to Truman.
And Gemma finds Truman and his tattooed muscles, equally appealing but it’s his tender and protective ways with a toddler and baby that makes any woman reading go all:
Including ME.
So, the characters were cool, the chemistry between them was smokin’ and the story was great.
Until it wasn’t.
Don’t get me wrong. I liked the story overall, but as the book progressed, I felt like it lost its steam.
We, the readers, are supposed to believe that Gemma and Truman, while completely different, both know what it's like to grow up feeling unloved.
Except, Gemma's version of that involves growing up in a gated community with nannies and rich-as-fuck-but-emotionally-absent parents.
Call me callous, but
Every single time she would compare her situation to Truman’s, I’d lose IQ points. Hello!!!!! That is NOT the same as growing up in squalor with a drug-addicted mother who both abused and neglected her children.
Like….. Not. Even. Close.
I kept waiting for someone, ANYONE, to give Gemma a reality check and clue her in to how insensitive and delusional she was, but it never happened. Probably because that would involve having an actual conflict and this book just wasn't about that.
Also, is it just me, or was Truman tooooooo sweet???
Like the continuous OTT revelations he would make regarding his FEELINGS and how much he cared about the kids and Gemma and life and love…. it was too, too much.
He went from hot bad boy to a freakin’ Care Bear less than halfway in.
I prefer my heroes to be a little darker and…… meaner, maybe (which, is probably saying a hell of a lot more about me than I want to analyze, but, whatever). I like the men in my fiction to be a little less cavity-inducing.
ANYWAY, despite the plot not being very angsty and the hero being too sweet for my tastes, I still liked this story. Now, I was all ready to read the next book in this series until I discovered that it was NOT available via KU. Since I’m going to have to shell out actual cash to continue on with these books, I may need to do some investigating and see if the subsequent heroes are just as sugary- because if so, I think I may pass and spend my money on some actual alpha-holes.😉
November 9, 2016
In this standalone novel by Melissa Foster, she takes a much darker route with Truman Gritt’s story. Fresh out of jail, Tru is surprised to discover that he has two young siblings when his mother dies unexpectedly. With no one to turn, Tru struggles to give these two children the happy childhood that they deserve. His past isn’t a good one so there’s quite a lot of obstacles he must face, but at the same time, it’s very clear that Tru isn’t a terrible man.
Gemma, our heroine, immediately picks up on that. I liked Gemma. She’s very sweet and loving, but I did think she was an usual girl. I say this because once she catches sight of Tru in a Walmart, struggling to buy diapers, food and the like for his siblings, she goes over and helps him. This is nice and all but I would never expect that to happen in real life. Gemma is very much a kid-lover but even then, it does seem a little bit far-fetched for her to go out of her way to do that for a total stranger.
However, I understand that if this wasn’t the case, there wouldn’t be a story or a romance here. That being said, I did think there was a bit of instalove and quite of a lot of glossing over things that I think a lot of other people would have an problem with or find odd about Tru’s character and the situation he is in. But once you get over that, it’s a very fast read. That’s how I feel about all of Melissa Foster’s books. They can easily be read within an hour and I definitely devoured this one quickly.
As you can probably guess, this book is far more darker in tone than Foster’s other books. I think it works for the storyline, but overall, I still prefer the light and fluffy ones because I feel like that’s what Foster does best. However, regardless of whether the books are light or dark, she always has some amazing heroes to fall in love with and Tru is no exception
March 26, 2017
Oh my gosh! Why haven’t any of my friends told me about this author?! If her other books are as wonderful as this one don’t bother calling for a while, I’ll be much too busy working on her back list.
This was an incredible story! Filled with so much warmth and love. There was plenty of heartbreak but not that awful in your gut angsty kind. But even if it were, it would be overshadowed by the charm of Tru’s siblings that he has taken responsibility for. How one man can live through so much emotional pain and suffering and yet survive to become the strong caring man he is, is the wonder of this book.
Gemma and Tru together were exquisite and I can’t remember another book that I have loved both main characters so completely without complaint. They are the perfect couple and it is their imperfections together that make them work so well. Their relationship felt organic. It flowed naturally and when they had issues they actually dealt with them like a “real” couple would. And let me just say, once their biggest hurdle was conquered, Tru’s sheer fort was a swoon worthy masterpiece. What woman wouldn’t fall a little in love with a man that had listened and then applied what he had heard into creating a dream come true, hubcap and all.
If you’ve read this book I hold you responsible for not forcing me to read it. If you haven’t read this book, what the heck? Stop reading this review and just one click already!
Dual POV
Safety Gang Approved
No physical abuse
This was an incredible story! Filled with so much warmth and love. There was plenty of heartbreak but not that awful in your gut angsty kind. But even if it were, it would be overshadowed by the charm of Tru’s siblings that he has taken responsibility for. How one man can live through so much emotional pain and suffering and yet survive to become the strong caring man he is, is the wonder of this book.
Gemma and Tru together were exquisite and I can’t remember another book that I have loved both main characters so completely without complaint. They are the perfect couple and it is their imperfections together that make them work so well. Their relationship felt organic. It flowed naturally and when they had issues they actually dealt with them like a “real” couple would. And let me just say, once their biggest hurdle was conquered, Tru’s sheer fort was a swoon worthy masterpiece. What woman wouldn’t fall a little in love with a man that had listened and then applied what he had heard into creating a dream come true, hubcap and all.
If you’ve read this book I hold you responsible for not forcing me to read it. If you haven’t read this book, what the heck? Stop reading this review and just one click already!
Dual POV
Safety Gang Approved
No physical abuse
November 13, 2016
I really had to push through this one. As you all know, instalove is one of the things I can't stand in a book. Well Tru Blue had it in heaps. I really thought there was going to be some sort of twist that made me fall in love with this book.
May 29, 2019
I received this novel in a book club giveaway and this is a first-time read/listen by Melissa Foster for this reader. Tru Blue (The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #1) tugs at your heart and you can’t help but love the story. It grips and draws you in right away and it is hard to turn it off once you get into the story...finishing in a day and half.
Truman Gritt, known as Tru is loyal to his family and not to mention a handsome man who every woman would love to have in their dreams and in person. Tru and his brother Quincy, are neglected by their drug addicted mother and are left to fend for themselves…living a life in squalor. He does the best he can looking after his brother, however in a split second, he finds himself in jail for a murder he did not commit. When released from prison, he now finds that he has to become an instant father for two young siblings that his mother left behind after her death. On a midnight run to Walmart, Tru meets Gemma who is in a totally opposite place than the life he lives. She has all she needs but loneliness confronts her day to day. They both are drawn to one another and Tru falls for her caring and supportive nature.
Tru and Gemma are nicely fitted together in this story and you can see how each are protective and loving of the individuals in their lives. The H/h have to overcome a lot of obstacles and their wonderful, caring and romantic hearts meet them at their HEA. Throw in Kennedy and Lincoln and your heart melts even further.
Ms. Foster...hmmm what can I say about this new author. She has a well-written story that I terribly loved and one that tugged at my heart time and time again. She gives you a hero that exuberates sex, passion, devotion and a heroine who can stand on her own and help him through difficult times. Wonderfully written and highly recommended.
5-Stars
Truman Gritt, known as Tru is loyal to his family and not to mention a handsome man who every woman would love to have in their dreams and in person. Tru and his brother Quincy, are neglected by their drug addicted mother and are left to fend for themselves…living a life in squalor. He does the best he can looking after his brother, however in a split second, he finds himself in jail for a murder he did not commit. When released from prison, he now finds that he has to become an instant father for two young siblings that his mother left behind after her death. On a midnight run to Walmart, Tru meets Gemma who is in a totally opposite place than the life he lives. She has all she needs but loneliness confronts her day to day. They both are drawn to one another and Tru falls for her caring and supportive nature.
Tru and Gemma are nicely fitted together in this story and you can see how each are protective and loving of the individuals in their lives. The H/h have to overcome a lot of obstacles and their wonderful, caring and romantic hearts meet them at their HEA. Throw in Kennedy and Lincoln and your heart melts even further.
Ms. Foster...hmmm what can I say about this new author. She has a well-written story that I terribly loved and one that tugged at my heart time and time again. She gives you a hero that exuberates sex, passion, devotion and a heroine who can stand on her own and help him through difficult times. Wonderfully written and highly recommended.
5-Stars
November 8, 2016
Original Post:
Tru Blue
at FLYLēF (www.flylef.com)
WITH A UNIQUELY endearing and emotional voice that instantly pulled me in, Melissa Foster’s Tru Blue is a tender and bittersweet contemporary romance that entwines the heart of a man who stands to lose everything and a woman with everything to give.
Truman Gritt, or Tru, is hard, seductive, and selfless. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his family—even going to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. By contrast, Gemma Wright has been raised on the other side of the law. She’s annoyingly invasive, yet also disarming—even charming—and completely giving.
Truman and Gemma’s instant attraction becomes more interesting when Ms. Foster introduces conflict-driven moments involving drug addiction, loneliness and abandonment, infertility, and unexpected parenthood that tests their bond. However, I felt that the dilemmas were resolved fairly quickly and even a little too easily. Though, fans of romance will enjoy the alacrity in which Ms. Foster takes readers to the “honeymoon” phase of Truman and Gemma’s relation filled with easy bantering and sensual late night trysts.
The vortex that centered around Truman and Gemma’s courtship reached out and folded in the secondary characters in a very delightful way. Particularly, I enjoyed Gemma’s best friend, Crystal. She was unapologetically confident and ruthlessly sassy. Crystal added a much welcomed humor. Truman’s baby brother Lincoln (cover) and sister Kennedy were quite adorable, as well, and will tug at the heartstrings of many readers. I thought the supporting characters provided a strong character witness for Truman and Gemma, making them more relatable and certainly more likable.
Tru Blue is a raw and heart-expanding story that also highlights the startling realities of serious issues. Yet, there is always the lingering euphoria of hope, happiness, and romance that percolated through. It’s the literary version of comfort food.
{Thank you to the author or publisher for kindly giving me this book free of charge, which does not influence my review.}
WITH A UNIQUELY endearing and emotional voice that instantly pulled me in, Melissa Foster’s Tru Blue is a tender and bittersweet contemporary romance that entwines the heart of a man who stands to lose everything and a woman with everything to give.
Truman Gritt, or Tru, is hard, seductive, and selfless. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his family—even going to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. By contrast, Gemma Wright has been raised on the other side of the law. She’s annoyingly invasive, yet also disarming—even charming—and completely giving.
Truman and Gemma’s instant attraction becomes more interesting when Ms. Foster introduces conflict-driven moments involving drug addiction, loneliness and abandonment, infertility, and unexpected parenthood that tests their bond. However, I felt that the dilemmas were resolved fairly quickly and even a little too easily. Though, fans of romance will enjoy the alacrity in which Ms. Foster takes readers to the “honeymoon” phase of Truman and Gemma’s relation filled with easy bantering and sensual late night trysts.
The vortex that centered around Truman and Gemma’s courtship reached out and folded in the secondary characters in a very delightful way. Particularly, I enjoyed Gemma’s best friend, Crystal. She was unapologetically confident and ruthlessly sassy. Crystal added a much welcomed humor. Truman’s baby brother Lincoln (cover) and sister Kennedy were quite adorable, as well, and will tug at the heartstrings of many readers. I thought the supporting characters provided a strong character witness for Truman and Gemma, making them more relatable and certainly more likable.
Tru Blue is a raw and heart-expanding story that also highlights the startling realities of serious issues. Yet, there is always the lingering euphoria of hope, happiness, and romance that percolated through. It’s the literary version of comfort food.
{Thank you to the author or publisher for kindly giving me this book free of charge, which does not influence my review.}
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