Thursday, June 18, 2015

EVER AFTER by Jude Deveraux


Title:  EVER AFTER

Series:  Nantucket Brides #3

Author:  Jude Deveraux

Publish Date:   06.23.15

Publisher:  Ballantine (Random House Publishing)

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Ballantine Books via NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: Ever After

Date completed: 06.01.15

Description from the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux's eagerly awaited third novel in her blockbuster Nantucket Brides trilogy continues the spellbinding saga of the Montgomery-Taggerts, set on an island steeped in beauty and unforgettable romance.

Life is anything but perfect for Hallie Hartley, a young physical therapist who has given up nearly everything—even her love life—for her beautiful blonde stepsister, Shelly. Though Shelly's acting career has never taken off, she has certainly perfected the crocodile tears to get what she wants—which all too often means Hallie's boyfriends. When Hallie arrives home early from work one fateful day, she makes two startling discoveries that will turn her life upside down: Not only has a mysterious relative left Hallie a house on Nantucket, but Shelly has been trying to steal it. Desperate to put her troubles behind her, Hallie impulsively flies to Nantucket.

New trouble, however, has already settled into Hallie's guest room in the form of her newest client. Hallie is told that wealthy, young James Taggert has injured his leg in a skiing accident. Assuming that the devastatingly handsome man has led a charmed life, Hallie is surprised by Jamie at every turn throughout his recovery. His attentions draw her out of her shell—but he has a dark secret, and is tormented by nightmares that only her presence can keep at bay. She suspects there's more to his injury than he's letting on.

On this gorgeous island rich in history, magic is everywhere, even in Hallie's own backyard. As Jamie's relatives arrive for a wedding gala, something wonderfully unusual is in the air. There's an aura of romance—enhanced by a pair of matchmaking ghosts and a colorful island legend. In their own little corner of the world, Jamie and Hallie unravel the timeless secrets of their own hearts, and a very special story of True Love destined to last forever after.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the third book in the Nantucket Brides series, but it does stand completely on its own. 

Hallie is Cinderella in this story.  Instead of having two ugly step-sisters, she has Shelly - one beautiful drama queen of a step-sister who was never provided a moral compass, but pushed to have aspirations of acting fame.  Hallie has just completed her degree in physical therapy and is applying for a position where she has interned, when she discovers that the evil Shelly has committed fraud and identity theft and is trying to steal the Nantucket home that was left to her.  On impulse, Hallie decides to take the home and the job as a personal PT for a society page playboy that are waiting in Nantucket.  Once there she encounters Jamie Taggart, the Bell sisters, and plenty of “naked cousins.” Hallie is just as sweet as jelly toast.  Though she has been raised first with love from her grandparents and then with indifference from her father and step-mother, she is still a loveable girl with a heart of gold.


There was a little bit of a questionable professionalism, but I chose to roll with it.  This is fiction and sometimes we need to suspend a few of the rules of reality.  After all, we’re accepting a family of impossibly handsome men who are attentive and loving... and ghosts, too

There is a lot of story in this fun, feel-good novel.  I love, love, flove ghost stories, our U.S military, and fairy-tales.  There was plenty of paranormal activity, a war hero, a Cinderella story, and naked cousins (yes, I know I already mentioned them, but come on – they’re naked gorgeous men!).  There was fun, gravity, love, lust, pageantry, and farce.  The laughs probably equaled the sighs and, for me, that’s a sign of a great book.

If you’ve been following my blogs at all, you’ll know that I read a LOT of independent authors and felt comfortable with them as friends.  Authors are my rock stars, but I was satisfied with the local scene.  Imagine my surprise when I received an invite from the publisher to pick up this book on NetGalley.  Honestly, I was blown away.  To me this is on the level of being invited to visit Paul McCartney or David Bowie.  Tears of joy just from the invitation.  Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley.


It has been a long time since I read a Jude Deveraux book, but now I want more!


Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

 The Nantucket Brides series:

  1. True Love
  2. For All Time
  3. Ever After

Other Books from Jude Deveraux:   books by Jude Deveraux (pdf file)


















No comments:

Post a Comment