"A current day Cinderella story"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted June 21, 2015
Romance
Jude Deveraux knows how to get an immediate response from
her readers -- her fans of which I proudly include myself.
It's simple really. Just mention the name Taggart and
Deveraux has you conjuring up old images of all the
Taggerts -- those you met and fell in love with in past
books and you smile. You just can't help it. Then it gets
even better with the appearance of another favorite
Deveraux family the Montgomery clan. I promise EVER
AFTER will have you grinning like the Cheshire Cat from
ear to ear in this third book from Jude Deveraux's
Nantucket Brides series.
Everyone has a favorite Taggert/Montgomery book and I am
no exception. EVER AFTER has crept into my heart and now
holds a very special place. Jude Deveraux does not write
fluff. Every book I've ever read of hers has great
substance. Deveraux holds families in great regard.
Families are the core and with each Deveraux book we are
treated to another wonderful heartwarming tale of a
family who knows what it means to love and protect.
There is however a majorly dysfunctional family at the
core of EVER AFTER. Hallie's family had been ripped to
shreds over the year. Partly by accidents and life but
more damaged by cruelty and greed. After Hallie's mother
passed life as she knew it changed so drastically that it
is almost unimaginable what a young girl/woman can handle
and come out whole. On the surface Hallie is a
warmhearted caring and giving woman who is devoted to her
stepsister's well-being. There is no time in Hallie's
life for much more than anticipating Shelly's needs and
wants. But Shelly is a very one dimensional character
whose entire life is built around her looks. There
doesn't seem to be anything that can truly satisfy Shelly
with the exception of her innate ability to create havoc
to Hallie's life.
When Hallie inherits an old house in Nantucket all
Shelly's animosity towards her stepsister comes to a very
dramatic head. Hallie leaves her home to investigate this
new possibility. Home is where the heart is and that
definitely does not define where she and Shelly have
been.
The Nantucket house comes complete with ghosts that are
well accepted in that area. These are not the scary
variety of spirits but instead two female ghosts who are
determined to help people find their own true love.
In addition to the ghost the house comes with a wealthy
client in need of Hallie's physical therapy skills. Jamie
Taggert suffers from more than just physical problems
that are in dire need of help. As a wounded warrior
Jamie's life has no direction. Truth be told Jamie's life
is in a holding pattern. PTS has taken hold of this young
vibrant man and along with many physical scars has Jamie
practically in hiding. Jamie's current behavior seems so
out of character for a gallant and brave soldier.
So as Hallie takes on the challenge of the physical
therapy of Jamie she quickly realizes that he needs more
from her. And as Jamie gets closer to Hallie he too
begins to see beneath the surface to the woman who has
the strength and heart to help everyone but herself.
EVER AFTER has all the elements for a wondrous romantic
tale with the added bonus of some celestial helpers -- if
you believe in that. Love is a wonderful cure for many of
life damages and for damaged souls there is no better
medicine than a well-deserved dose of love and caring.
The Taggert and Montgomery families have it in spades.
For someone who truly believes they are alone in the
world EVER AFTER is kind of a Cinderella story. Each of
the Nantucket Bride stories are self-contained. They
all
lovingly include favorite characters from past books but
Jude Deveraux makes sure you don't feel adrift. As I say
in all Deveraux reviews you must read carefully. What
appears to be a random thought is anything but. EVER
AFTER will keep you turning pages through a lovely tale
of love, healing and hope.
SUMMARY
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.
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